Robert Charles Flanders

ROBERT CHARLES FLANDERS

ARKPORT-Robert Charles Flanders, 95, passed away Friday evening (March 30, 2012) at his home on East Avenue in Arkport.
Born in Howard on April 7, 1916, he was a son of the late Charles and Helen Mosier Flanders.
A graduate of Hornell High School, Bob was married on Sept. 1, 1938 to the former Marion Brush of Arkport, who predeceased him on Sept. 30, 1991. He was also predeceased by his parents on March 13 and 14, 1989 and his brother, Ted Flanders on Jan. 10, 1997.
He is survived by one sister, Carolyn Flanders Dybvig of Alabaster, AL; one daughter, Louise Flanders of Avoca, one son, Charles Flanders of Arkport; one granddaughter, Jodi Flanders (Patrick) Moughan of Rochester; his dear friend and companion of 20 years, Onalee Faulkner; and several nieces and nephews.
Bob’s lifelong occupation and enjoyment was dairy farming, and in 1940 he began developing his herd of registered Holstein cattle. He had the progressive idea of the day that he could farm without horses, using only tractors. His older farmer friends said it couldn’t be done. In addition to farming, in the late 1950s Bob built and ran a restaurant and dairy bar for several years in Arkport. In the 1960s he also developed the Flanders Trailer Park in Arkport.
Bob was a charter member of the New York Artificial Breeders Cooperative. He was a member of the Three Thousand Pound Club for having one or more cows produce three thousand pounds of butterfat in a single calendar year. He served on the Board of Directors of the Konhokton Milk Producers Association; and was elected to the Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Township Committee, serving several years as Chairman. On Dec. 31, 2011 he received Membership Award recognition for his 65 years of service to the New York Holstein Association of the Allegany-Steuben Holstein Club.
Bob was a member of the Arkport Presbyterian Church for 73 years, serving also as an Elder and Trustee. He was an early member of the Arkport Fire Department and a member of the Arkport Cemetery Association Board. He became a member of the Arkport Exchange Club in 1951, serving as chairman of the annual Farmers Night for 37 years. He was also enrolled in the Book of Golden Deeds of the Arkport Exchange Club on March 28, 1972. Bob enjoyed spending mornings at McDonald’s with the Romeo Club.
Calling hours are from 1-3 p.m. Monday at the Arkport Presbyterian Church where a funeral and committal service will be held following calling hours at 3 p.m. Monday, with the Rev. Steven Jewell officiating. Interment will follow at the Arkport Heritage Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the Arkport Presbyterian Church, 15 Main St., Arkport, N.Y. 14807.
Arrangements are with the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell.