Obituary of Robert J. Hughes

Bob was born August 7, 1932, the first of four children to Harold and Emma Hughes, in Room 342 at Millard Fillmore Hospital in Buffalo at a cost of $77.25. He died as he had hoped to—for free and peacefully in his own bed, books on the nightstand, in the arms of his beloved wife of 61 years. He is predeceased by several of his molars, the majority of his hair and his darling, brilliant daughter Jeanne. Bob was a connoisseur of red wine, foreign travel, classical music, Little Debbie Snack cakes and peanut donuts of any variety. He was most proficient at teaching, counseling, cutting a rug, poker, the New York Times crossword, the manual of arms, remembering things, making French toast and judging human character. His chief annoyances were bigots, sabre rattlers, students who don’t pay attention, his cottage septic tank, dog hair, baggy trousers, discussing religion and politics in mixed company, and shaving. He loved his family, Loon Lake fireworks, historical non-fiction, black coffee, Gap’s jokes, Coin World, Windex, irreverent English humor, his Mother’s pies, snowmobiles in the 70’s, the boisterous sound of Rosie’s laugh, and the soldiers of the 9th Truckers. In 1949, at the tender age of 16, Bob graduated from Angola High School. He was a member of the Class of ‘53 at the State College for Teachers (now SUNY Albany) where he met his soul mate. She first laid eyes on him on-stage as he cast a musical he had written. With foot perched on a piano bench and pipe in hand, he instead cast a spell on Rosie Keller. He gave her the lead role, Margiana the beautiful bandit queen, and the rest is both theatrical and genealogical history. After several deferments and graduation, he finally succumbed to his patriotic duty. He made the nauseating journey by Army troop ship to join his brothers-in-arms and future best friends in Saran, France. He often said it was the best and worst thing that ever happened to him. Afterwards, Uncle Sam and the G.I. bill generously paid for his second master’s degree at Columbia University. He spent his career working with his talented wife at Wayland Central School where his hair loss is superbly chronicled through the WCS yearbooks from 1957-1987. He first taught social studies, became the elementary school principal and then director of Student Services. He retired in 1987 and promptly joined the staff of the Sojourner House for homeless women and children where he was inspired by their courage every day for 7 years. He was a man of great modesty but did boast of three of his greatest achievements, knowing Kipling’s Gunga Din verbatim, travelling with his wife to 61 foreign countries, one for each of their married years, and winning in the same poker game every Tuesday night for 23 consecutive years. Bob was outrageously frugal but generous to a fault. His children marveled at his breathtaking MacGyvered home repairs. He believed that any bent nail could be straightened, a dull saw could still cut a straight line, a penny was as good as a fuse, and the most reliable tools were any that predated the Great War. His work-ethic and integrity were beyond reproach. He believed that hard work was its own reward and his children’s work should be that which gave them the greatest satisfaction. He is survived by his adoring wife Rose Mary; his greatest admirers, sons Bob Jr. (Loretta) and Jim/Binky (Amy); his five beloved grandchildren Monica (Rich) Gale, Emily (Gerard), James, William, and Michael who lovingly call him Boppy, The Bopster, Boparama, or Bop a loo bop a lop bam boom, interchangeably; his little brothers John (Barbara) and Tom (Joan), whom he taught many wondrous things; selected nieces and nephews; a host of exceptional friends including Bud and Sue, Gap and Janet, Jesse and Evelyn, Ray and Audrey, Eric and Volena, Wayne and Joy, The extended Kimmich family, Marilyn, Lee, and so many others; his Army brothers who reminded him of his youth for over 60 years; and the hundreds of students he counseled and taught at Wayland Central School. In lieu of flowers, Bob would prefer you perform an unsolicited and unexpected act of kindness. His favorite charities were Vincent House in Wayland, the Open Door Mission, or Sojourner House. So if you’re able, please make a donation in the name of his daughter Jeanne. Calling hours are Saturday, January 23 from 1:00-4:00 pm at the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 West Naples Street, Wayland. Following, there will be a military send-off for Bob. Friends and relatives are invited to stay.