Obituary of Robert D. Harrington

Robert D. "Bob" Harrington, 91, of Clifton Park, beloved husband of over 66 years of Marjorie J. Harland Harrington of Clifton Park, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, December 9, 2017.

Born in Oneonta, NY, he was the son of the late Daniel and Geraldine Palmer Harrington. Bob was a graduate of Oneonta Senior High School. He then proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and re-enlisted to serve again following the war. He received the American Theater Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal, as well as a Citation for Meritorious Service. Following his service, Mr. Harrington studied at White Plains Technical Institute, earning his degree in mechanical engineering.

Mr. Harrington's professional career included employment with General Electric in Schenectady, Hudson Falls and Waterford as a project engineer. He was a general foreman with Behr Manning from 1965 to 1970. His proudest career achievement was as the Project Engineer for the New York State Library and Museum at the Empire State Plaza, overseeing the design for all electrical systems and elevators.

Bob earned his private pilot's license before he had his driver’s license and was an accomplished pilot and especially enjoyed flying high performance sailplanes. He was exceptionally mechanically inclined, and could build, improvise or repair anything.

He and Marjorie travelled extensively to destinations that included Greece, Hawaii and the Panama Canal. More recently, Bob discovered that his ancestors were among the first Dutch Settlers in Albany, where he became a proud member of the Dutch Settler's Society. He was a past member and President of the South Glens Falls Rotary Club, served on the South Glens Falls Board of Education, and was a beloved Scoutmaster in the old Mohican Council, earning the Scouter’s Key and Brotherhood Member, Order of the Arrow. A Clifton Park resident for over 50 years, he was a volunteer for the Shenendehowa Free Library, Schenectady Airport and Aeroscience Museum, as well as the former Schenectady Museum, where he built and maintained the planetarium projector. He was proud to have donated 10 gallons of blood over the years to the American Red Cross. Most recently, he was thrilled to travel to Washington D.C. with the Leatherstocking Honor Flight.

Beloved husband of 66 years to Marjorie, devoted father of Linda (Robert) Davis of Columbia, SC, Pamela (Kenneth) Hannan of Clifton Park and Patricia (Stephen) Freed of Glenville, brother of William (Cassandra) Miller of Dover N.H. and Marco Island FL, cherished grandfather of Amy (Ed) Pillers, Lt. Col. Eric (Dianna) Davis, U.S. Army, Emily (Christopher) Blauvelt, Sean (Francine) Hannan, Thomas Horne, Ruth Horne (fiancé Nathan Taber) and Rachel Horne, brother-in-law of Mary Kissel and Joan Harland, also survived by 8 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 RT-9 Clifton Park, New York 12065 and to the Funeral Service which will be held on Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home and then followed by interment with military honors at the Ballston Spa Village Cemetery in Ballston Spa.

Bob's family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the C-4 Medical Staff at Ellis Hospital, Community Hospice of Saratoga as well as to Home Helpers (Autumn and Zach) for their exemplary care and support.

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Leatherstocking Honor Flight, P.O. Box 621, Cobleskill, NY 12043, in memory of Robert D. Harrington.

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