Robert D. Young

In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions in Robert’s name to the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.

Robert D. Young of 700 Queens Highway, Accord, NY, died peacefully in Poughkeepsie, NY on March 10, 2016 at the age of 87 with his wife Elizabeth and family members at his bedside. Robert was the son of Robert and Edna (Clinckett) Young of 27 Lake View Terrace, Staten Island, NY. Robert was the brother of Ronald and Diana, with whom he was very close. Besides his parents, Robert’s childhood development was guided by Grace Puckerin, who had helped raise his mother Edna during her youth in Barbados, British West Indies, and who also resided at 27 Lake View Terrace.

Robert was born in 1928 at the onset of the Great Depression. He graduated from New Dorp High School on Staten Island in 1946 and served in the New York National Guard from 1948 to 1955 as an armaments specialist achieving the rank of Sergeant E5. Following high school Robert worked in several industries in the NYC area. These included the photographic industry first as a Photographer and later in the design and manufacture of Photographic Color Printing and Dye Transfer equipment. He also worked in the architectural field building architectural models, manufactured precision aircraft components, worked as a tool and die maker, and worked on the development of automated sewing machines for the clothing industry.

In 1952, Robert married Elizabeth Bozzo with whom he had three children. Together Robert and Elizabeth built a home for their young family in Accord by renovating the prior Gausline family farm home on Queens Highway. Robert also established his development machine shop business on the property so that he might be close to his family. Following the move to Accord, Robert worked for the American Institute for Prosthetics in New York, where he was focused on the development of prosthetic limbs to help disabled individuals. In this work, Robert participated in the development and improvement of the basic prosthetics of this period, including the initial fitting and training of amputees. This area of work would prove to be a continuing passion for Robert throughout his life as he hoped to improve the quality of life for disabled individuals and veterans. Robert pioneered the use of CO2 powered prosthetics and his son Daniel successfully demonstrated his shoulder motion controlled CO2 powered prosthetic arm at a young age. Robert had many other development successes from his shop including the development of some of the fastest and most accurate currency counters of the period, for which he held several US patents.  Robert was also very proud of his mechanical contributions to several Muppet movies and fondly remembered meeting Kermit the Frog with his young grandson David. He had a great mind for solving mechanical design problems and possessed the many individual skill sets necessary to be successful in his work. Robert thoroughly enjoyed the many challenges of his chosen life’s work and the independence of having his own business. Through the years he graciously opened his shop to help friends and neighbors, volunteering his time and energy to their projects. As a father and grandfather, he was also always ready to support any projects his children or grandchildren might have, using these activities as learning opportunities and as opportunities to share his time and experience with a younger generation.

Robert is survived by his wife Elizabeth of sixty-four years, his daughter Linda, and his two sons Daniel and Robert. In addition, he is survived by 10 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Robert was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He fully supported the many individual interests and pursuits of his children. With his grandchildren, he continued to provide a supporting voice and was a constant advocate for their success and happiness. In recent years, one of his friends affectionately labeled him as a “good man.” This is perhaps the best way to describe Robert.

Robert has been a parishioner of Christ the King Episcopal Church in Stone Ridge. Funeral services will be held at Christ the King Church in Stone Ridge, NY on Saturday March 19th with a funeral service at 1PM. The church chapel will be used for visiting hours prior to the service from 11-1PM. Robert will be inurned at Christ the King Church following the services.

To send a personal condolence to Robert’s family please visit www.humistonfuneralhome.com.