Retired Army veteran Robert C. Belcher, 65, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Brandenburg, Kentucky, on April 17, 2016.
Born Oct. 5, 1950, to Robert E. and Dora M. (Finley) Belcher in Watertown, NY, he attended Sherman School, South Junior High School (now Case Middle School) and graduated in 1968 from Watertown High School.
While in high school he participated in wrestling, track and was captain of the cross country team. He graduated from The Citadel Military College in Charleston, South Carolina in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in history and political science. He was a member of the elite Summerall Guards precision marching unit at The Citadel. He was also selected as a member of the Training Cadre for three years. The cadre returned to college two weeks early to train and indoctrinate the incoming freshman class.
He received his master’s degree in history and political science at University of Louisville in Kentucky.
After graduation he worked at Kleins All Sports, Boys and Men’s Specialty Shop and was an Assistant Manager of F.W. Woolworth before entering the Army in 1981. During his 24 years in the Army he was stationed at Fort Bliss, Fort Drum, Fort Knox (three times), Germany and the United States Army Recruiting Command in Tampa, Florida as a System Analyst for Recruitment. Upon retiring from the Army in 2005 he then worked for Hewlett-Packard as a System Analyst at Fort Knox, Kentucky retiring in 2013.
He loved the St. Lawrence River having grown up spending summers on Wellesley Island at the family cottage. He had recently rented an apartment in Clayton, NY, with the plan of living on the River in the summer and Florida in the winter.
He loved his yellow Labrador retriever Frontenac.
He is survived by his wife, Dolores Castillo-Belcher; a daughter, Jade Alana; a son, James Eric all of Largo, Florida; a sister, Marianne Malatino (Joseph) of Watertown; a sister-in-law, Amy Beard (Robert); brothers in law, Javier Castillo (Patricia) and Alfonso Castillo (Rachel) of Texas. Aunts; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his parents he was also deceased by his paternal grandparents Joseph and Mattie May Belcher, maternal grandparents, John and Roseann Finley, in-laws, Alfonso and Bertha Castillo.
A memorial service, led by Reverend Mark Pierce, will be held 11 a.m. May 19 at Reed & Benoit Funeral Home.
Donations in his name can be made to the Belcher Scholarship Fund in care of the Northern New York Community Foundation, 120 Washington Street, Suite 400, Watertown, New York 13601. The scholarship is awarded to students majoring in ecological studies with an emphasis on conserving the healthy environment of the St. Lawrence River and lakes in Northern New York.
Arrangements are with the Reed & Benoit Funeral Home.
Condolences may be made at www.reedbenoit.com.
Posted in: newzjunky.com
Posted on: 2016-05-13
Link to original obituary: http://newzjunky.com/obits2016/0511belcherobit.htm