Obituary of Robert E. Lord

Johnstown, NY – Robert E. Lord, 97 of Johnstown, NY passed away on September 29, 2023. 

Born in his parents’ home in Nelliston, NY on December 2, 1925, he was the son of the late Edwin B. Lord and Mary Elizabeth Olyer.

Bob was a graduate of Ft. Plain High School, Class of 1943.  Bob was a distinguished Boy Scout attaining the rank of Eagle Scout with three Palms - Bronze, Silver and Gold.  Bob’s love for the scouting program led him to become a scouting leader and ultimately the Scoutmaster of a very active Scout Troop.

He served in the Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1945, becoming a member of a RADAR training unit. Being part of the early foundations of what we know as Radar Detection and Ranging (RADAR) Bob was appreciated by those who served alongside him during World War II in one of the highest Top Secret level training installations in the country at the newly opened Boca Raton Army Airfield in Florida.  Bob was a medal winning veteran who received the WWII American Campaign Medal, WWII Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. 

Bob led a very exciting life with many adventures and a few career changes. Most noteworthy was his passion to help others.  Whether it was his guidance in counseling young men to love this great country with a flag that stood as a reminder that many have fallen to defend it, or the lessons that he learned from a small general store at Canada Lake, Bob displayed kindness and shared those lessons with others generously. Bob led the life of an entrepreneur working in the busy and tireless world of clothing manufacturing.  He served as a salesman in New York City with such success that he returned to his hometown and opened a series of factories.  Many of his employees would tell him later in his life of the great fun and exciting times they had working with him.    One of Bob’s great fetes was his purchase of a summer “go to” spot on Pine Lake.  Each week throughout the summer Bob would be host to swimmers, campers and amusement park riders.  All interactions were made creating long lasting memories.  

Bob also had a passion for historical artifacts.  Bob participated in the restoration to make Fort William Henry what it is today.  You can still buy many of the items Bob introduced to the gift shop.  Bob helped in the restoration of Fort Klock and organization of the Ft. Plain Museum.  Bob was an avid reenactment follower. Most notable was his portrayal of Colonel Joseph Brant.  For many years Bob was known as one of the Mohawk Valley’s fairest traders of authentic Revolutionary War muskets.  It has been said that “you are not a real collector until you negotiate and trade with Bob”.

Bob was also well known as a Genealogist and author.  Bob researched and verified 276,700 of his ancestors’ names.  He was the author of five books detailing his family history and genealogy.  Bob was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Through the years Bob has held leadership positions and was involved with youth activity programs of the church.  At one time Bob worked as an employee for the church and assisted in the genealogical preservation program as he visited court houses and churches microfilming records.

Throughout his long-life Bob was privileged to have served in many service and fraternal organizations.  Most memorable is his Knighthood under the Protection of His Majesty the King of Yugoslavia into the Royal Yugoslavian Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem notably known as the Order of the Knights Hospitaller. Bob became a Founder and Life Member of Society of Descendants of Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. Bob had the distinction of being given the most Honorable Estate of Knighthood with the grade and rank of Officer in the Most Holy Orthodox Order of St. Gregory the Illuminator.  The organization with the famous motto “Heritage and Duty” gave the appointment of Robert Edwin Lord, Esquire membership into The Augustan Society. In 1963 Bob was granted membership into the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Further the following organizations held membership records for Bob:  Society of Mayflower Descendants of New York, Colonial Order Crown, Dutch Settlers of Albany, Plantagnet Society, and the Magna Carta Barons (Sommerset Chapter).

Bob is predeceased by his parents, the late Edwin B. Lord and Mary Elizabeth Olyer. Bob is also predeceased by Hazel Rouse, June D. Vosburgh Lord, Marilyn “Lynn” Perkins Lord and a great grandson Jordan Davis.  Surviving sons, daughters and stepchildren include Lansing “Lance” S. Lord (Meredith), Lorraine Charee Lord (Robert Wilbur), Jennifer “Jen” Desjardins (Jerry), Rebecca “Becky” Dorn (Thomas), Daniel Andersen (Heather), Judith E. Jones Davis, Warren M. Jones (Deborah Rouse), Brian J. Jones (Sonia Machado Santos), and 17 surviving grandchildren and step grandchildren 14 great grandchildren and step great grandchildren.

Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 417 Steele Avenue Extension, Gloversville on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Service Begins at 1:00 PM.

A viewing will precede the Funeral Service at 12 NOON until 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Ft. Plain Museum and Historical Park, Ft. Plain, NY.

“Don’t force your art, but force your way into its Secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the Divine.”  Ludwig van Beethoven

Arrangements have been entrusted to Betz, Rossi, Bellinger & Stewart Family Funeral Homes, Gloversville. Online condolences to the family may be made at www.brbsfuneral.com