HUDSON FALLS – Robert William (Bob) Rose, 86, of Williams Street, passed away on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, at Indian River Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Granville.
Born on Oct. 21, 1929, he was the son of the late Grafton E. and Bertha (Cutler) Rose, and a lifelong resident of Hudson Falls.
On Aug. 14th, 1954, he was married to Thelma Elaine Hastings in the Hudson Falls Methodist Church by the Rev. H. Clayton Ackley. Mrs. Rose died Feb. 22, 1996.
In addition to his wife and his parents, he was predeceased by his step-mother, Margery (Stalker) Rose, and an infant brother, Richard Rose.
Mr. Rose was graduated from the Hudson Falls High School in 1947 and from the University of New York at Albany with BA and MA degrees in English. He completed further post-graduate work in reading instruction at Syracuse University where he was awarded a teaching fellowship in 1968-69. At that time he was the first local faculty member to be granted a one-year-sabbatical leave by the HF Board of Education.
He taught English for three years, from 1954 to 1957 at South Glens Falls Central School and then for 35 years at the Hudson Falls Central School where he was director of the senior high school drama club for 16 years before becoming head of the English Department until his retirement in 1992.
While continuing his studies in Albany from 1948 to 1954 he was assistant city editor of the Post-Star during which time he began writing reviews of area theatrical productions which he continued to do until 2010.
For several years he and his wife were members of the Merry Mohicans Square Dance Club, serving one year each as publicity chairmen, vice presidents and presidents. Mr. Rose was a former member and for several years secretary of Fort Edward Lodge 267, Free and Accepted Masons.
In 2002 he became a communicant of the Church of St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s.
He was a member of the New York State United Teachers and the Hudson Falls Teachers Assoc. and for several years served as vice president of the Hudson Falls Free Library Board of Trustees, continuing as a board member until 2013.
He was a supporting member of the Corinth Theatre Guild and for several years a patron of the Fort Salem Theatre. His favorite professional theatrical company by far was Joe Barron Showtime Productions where he enjoyed his all-time favorite performers, Joe Barron, Richard Baker, and the incredible Laura Roth.
Survivors are his loving foster son A. Rene Roberge and his wife Pamela and their two daughters Amy Danielle and Emily Rose Roberge. Rene and Pamela were also his caregivers and have been there for him every step of the way of his declining health with outpouring love and effortless devotion.
Survivors also include a nephew, Michard Hastings of Queensbury, three nieces, Melanie Hastings of Queensbury, Margaret Hastings Jones and her husband, Thomas, of Granville, and Mary Hastings Frassenei and her husband, Michael, of Limerick, Pa..
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Monday, at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church on the Park in Hudson Falls
The Rite of Committal will follow at Union Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the special Robert Rose Memorial Scholarship Fund set up by his foster son, Rene Roberge, at the Hudson Falls Senior High School, 80 E Labarge St, Hudson Falls, NY 12839.
My sincere sympathy to the Roberge and Hastings family. Mr. & Mrs. Rose were icons in my era at the Hudson Falls High School. Loved them both – I have fond memories of Mr. Rose as one of his students and his assistance writing my graduation speech. Writing and speeches were not my forte and he managed to help me succeed with flying colors! May the memories see you through this difficult time.
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. He and Thelma were dear friends of the family, and he was truly one of our outstanding “homegrown” educators. My thoughts are with Butch and family, and his many friends.
I am so saddened to hear of Bob’s passing. I have countless memories of my four years with him in Drama club. He was a supportive and patient coach with a fun loving spirit. To hopefully give you a smile in this difficult time, I will share my memory of a make-your-own ice cream sundae party he and Thelma hosted once for cast members. Unfortunately, to save time they decided to pre- scoop ice cream all together in a bowl and refreeze it. Needless to say, we had a lot of laughs when it all froze solid as one heaping dish! Butch, I remember you well. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss, Rene, Pam, Amy, and Emily. Except for Thelma, no one loved him more than you four. As for me, he was my high school mentor. my supportive boss, and my friend. Two years ago, we reconnected at the Fort Hudson when we were next door neighbors in the rehab wing. We had some pretty good talks in those three weeks, although I still felt the gentle sting of that “R and R put down” Overall, I felt then and now his affection for me, and I for him, remained as strong as ever, Even, more importantly, now that Rog and I are confronting the “in sickness and health” vow, we have the memory of Bob’s devotion to Thelma as our role model for inspiration.
Very sorry to hear that Bob has passed. He reviewed many shows that I directed at the Fort Salem Theater. His critiques were always right on and we appreciated his wisdom.
Bob should have been a theater critique for the NY Times!
This makes me so sad. Bob was, I believe, the driving force behind both of my much-loved careers. I appeared in several plays under his direction at HFHS, where I learned the emotive techniques that paved the way for my entry to broadcasting. I can, to this day, recite lines mastered in German over 50 years ago for “Stalag 17.” And without the writing skills I was taught in those days, I doubt that I would have pursued a second career in print journalism and advertising. I’m grateful every day for the paths that opened for me because of Mr. Rose.