Obituary of Robert S Brundage

Robert Shepard Brundage, age 93, passed away August 26, 2023 in the early morning hours at his home in Bath, NY surrounded by his family.  He was the son of Grattan H. and Cora (Carrol) Brundage born on July 22, 1930.  He just celebrated his 93^rd birthday.

Robert is survived by his loving wife JoAnn Brundage whom he married on April 20, 1968 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath, NY and they recently celebrated 55 years of marriage this past April. 

Robert grew up on the Brundage farm on the Bath Fish Hatchery Road.  In his early years, he attended a one room school house on Brundage Road.  He later was graduated from Haverling High School in 1949 where he was an active participant in Haverling sports, especially basketball, baseball, and volleyball.

Robert also was a graduate of the Dunwoody Industrial Institute Baking School in Minnesota.  He baked delicious pecan pies and hot rolls.  Following graduation, he joined the United States Army 27^th Infantry Regiment (Wolfhounds) including a tour of duty in the Korean War as a cook…first day cooking in the rain, porkchops on Porkchop Hill.

In August 1957, Bob began his employment with the United States Post Office in Bath, NY.  He was a rural carrier at first and then a carrier/clerk at the window where he retired after 38 years.

Robert was a long time member of the Steuben County Fair Association as was his father Grattan Brundage and brother William Brundage.  Bob will always be remembered as the curator at the Pioneer Museum on the fairgrounds.  This year was the first year he did not attend the county fair in his lifetime however he did partake in a fair waffle brought to him by his daughter.  He was also a member of the Steuben County Historical Society and with his family was active in the Bath Rod and Gun Club in his younger years.

Robert has three children with whom he always enjoyed spending time with on holidays and vacations together.  For over 40 years starting in 1982, they made an annual trip to Ocean City, MD on the Eastern Shore where they enjoyed the sun, the beach, and seafood.  He also loved trips to Florida with his wife and family.

His children are Bobbi Jo (David) Prusha, granddaughter Chloe Ann; Bonni Lu Brundage, granddaughter Skylar Jade; John William (Christina) Brundage, grandson Robert Henry, all of Bath.

Surviving their uncle are Jeffrey Brundage and Christine of St. Albans, VT and Bath, NY, Kevin Brundage (Judy Cox) of Corning, NY, Kris and River Brundage of Bath, NY, Scott (Ann) Bradley of Las Vegas, NV, Steve (Lilia) Bradley of Ramona, CA, Debby Kinney Fairbrother of Bath, NY, and Susan (Brian) Whittaker of Corning, NY.

Robert was predeceased by his two siblings - sister Carol Brundage (Nye Bradley) and brother William Gratton Brundage (Arlene Brundage).  As well as sister-in-laws Ernestine Biehl and Nellie Biehl Kinney (Homer) along with niece Dianne Bradley Hunter.

Cousins who predeceased Robert were Thomas and Barb Norman along with Phyllis and Raymond Knobel all of Saranac Lake, NY.

Bob trophied many a deer over the years, enjoyed gardening (his tomatoes were the best), reading Western and Amish books, and loved his New York Yankees.

He leaves behind numerous close loved ones especially Don and Bev Townsend of Bath, NY, dear longtime friends Monika and John Seligman of Clifton Park, NY, Jennifer Gilbert of New Britain, CT and Kerstin Schwab of Goslar, Germany (like two more daughters), Doug and Martha Bigelow of Bath, NY, Cindy and late Matt McConnell tenants of Bob and JoAnn for over 40 years, a close Korean War army buddy Joe Miller and family from Hickory, NC, Dave and late Mary Case from Winter Haven, FL, and Lloyd and late Marian Lewis Northrup also of Winter Haven, FL.  Charlie Northrup was a close hunting and fishing buddy of Bob’s. Robert's family gives special thanks to Dr. Gurdeep Kundlas MD and the medical staff at Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital and Fred and Harriett Taylor Health.

Calling hours for family and friends is scheduled for Wednesday, August 30^th at Fagan’s Funeral Home in Bath from 3:00-6:00 pm.  Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 31^st at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath at 11:00 am with The Rev. Dr. Melanie Duguid-May officiating.  Burial with Military Honors will be held at 2:00 pm at Grove Cemetery in Bath.

Donations in his memory may be given to St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Bath or the Finger Lakes SPCA of Bath.