Robert B. Whipple

Whipple, Robert B. KNOX Robert Briggs Whipple, 77, of Knox, N.Y., died Friday, November 23, 2007 at Albany Medical Center of complications following surgery. Born in Albany, May 22, 1930, he lived in Knox most of his life. The son of the late Alfred A. and Grace Briggs Whipple, Mr. Whipple attended Berne-Knox Central School, graduating in 1949. He purchased his dairy farm in Knox in October of 1952. He was a farmer all his life, starting by plowing gardens in the village of Altamont. He also was an insurance salesman for Farm Family and a real estate broker and appraiser. Always active in town affairs, he was elected Knox Town Justice from 1968 to 1974, and also served on a board to determine town zoning. Currently, he was on the board of assessment review. More recently, campaigning throughout the hill towns, he ran for the Albany County Legislature. He had a great interest in history and love for the Helderbergs. At the time of his death, he was working on a book, "A Gift of Heritage," a memoir about growing up at the top of the Altamont Hill. Over the years, he expanded his farm operations to include maple syrup production and his most recent project was the Malachi Farms vegetable stand at his home on Route 156. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed many hunting trips throughout the US and Canada and was the proprietor of Beaver Creek Lodge on Tug Hill. Mr. Whipple was a member of the Farm Bureau, New York State Outdoor Guides Assoc., National Assoc. of Real Estate Appraisers, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, NY State Maple Producers Association, a charter member of the Albany-Schoharie Plank Road Association, and a past member of the Knox Reformed Church and Altamont Reformed Church. He was the president of the High Point Cemetery Assoc. He was devoted to his family. Survivors include his son, Brian A (Kathy) Whipple of East Berne; two daughters, Deborah (Mike) Degan of Wilton, N.H. and Martha (John) Durand of Howell, N.J.; three stepsons, Charles Stewart of Altamont, Daniel Stewart of Delanson, and Thomas Stewart of Calif.; his fianc?e, Frances Cornwell of Gallupville; his brother, Henry (Pat) Whipple of Knox; 16 grandchildren, several great-grand-children; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and his business partner, Gillen Heitzman. He was predeceased by his wife, Anne M (Coogan) Whipple; his second wife, Theresa (Stewart) Whipple; and his sister Ann Fullerton of South Woodstock, Vt. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 10 a.m. from the Altamont Reformed Church, 129 Lincoln Ave., Altamont. Relatives and friends may call on Monday from 3-8 p.m. at the Fredendall Funeral Home, Alta-mont. Interment will be in High Point Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Berne-Knox Westerlo Alumni Association for their scholarship fund, P.O. Box 4, Berne, NY 12023 or to the Helderberg Ambulance Squad, P.O. Box 54, East Berne, NY 12059.