Robert Souers

Robert Charles Souers

FISHKILL - Robert Charles Souers, 85, a resident of Fishkill, NY for sixty years, died on Monday, January 30, 2012 at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY after a full and wonderful life with his family and friends.

Born in Kingston, NY on June 19, 1926, he was the oldest of four children of the late Casper and Beatrice Follette Souers. On June 29, 1947, he married the love of his life Beverly Bernice Bonesteel in Kingston. Beverly continues to live in the home that she and Robert built in Fishkill in 1952 and where they raised their four children.

Robert proudly served our country during WW II in the US Naval Reserves as an Aviation Cadet pilot. A graduate of Kingston H.S., Cornell University and Purdue University, he was a Professional Engineer and entrepreneur. In his early career, he was a mechanical engineer at Texaco, IBM, Nelson Gage and Wire-O before starting his own business Floatco where he designed and manufactured the original one-piece foam boating vest - all by the age of 35. He went on to own Polvonite and Duranautic, located in Hopewell Junction where he designed and fabricated wrestling and gym mats, and aluminum boats until retiring in 1986.

Robert and Beverly were members of the Fishkill United Methodist Church. As a former Eagle Scout, Robert also served as a Assistant Scoutmaster with Boy Scouts of America. Over his lifetime, he had many hobbies or "projects" as the family knew them. As a couple, Robert and Beverly loved doing many activities together, including: hiking & camping in the Catskill Mountains; boating & camping on the Adirondack Lakes; designing & building a summer cabin on Lake Bomoseen, VT; a member of the National Ski Patrol at Mt. Beacon; working on his island property in Friendship, ME; restoring antique furniture; flying his own planes; becoming a licensed amateur (HAM) radio operator #KE2BX; an exceptional bird carver, wood turner, gardener, baker & cook; an avid reader of American history books; and the host of summer clambakes that became a family tradition.

Besides his wife of 64 years, Robert is survived by his children, David Souers and wife Linda of Rhinebeck, NY, Cherie Giddings and husband David of Readsboro, VT, Stephanie Dickerson and husband Chris of Hoschton, GA, Brian Souers and wife Denise of Lincoln, ME, and Kevin Souers and wife Cyndi of Fishkill, NY; his grandchildren, Aimee Follette, Bethany Souers, Joanna Souers, Sarah Coughlin, Rebecca Keppler, Cloelle Giddings, Wyatt Lord, Whitney Souers, and Breanne Souers; 3 great-grandchildren, Ava Keppler, Lilly and Ellie Lord; his sister, Joan Buddenhagen and husband Douglas of San Diego, CA; and sister-in law Kay Souers of Kingston, NY. Robert's extended family includes many cousins, nieces and nephews in New York, Massachusetts, Florida and California. Other than his parents, Robert was predeceased by his brothers Arthur and Jay Souers, and nephew Allen Souers.

A Memorial Service will be held on March 24, 2012, place and time to be determined. Arrangements are under the direction of the McHoul Funeral Home Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction.

Memorial donations may be made to the Boy Scouts of America at Hudson Valley Council, BSA, 6 Jeanne Drive, Newburgh, NY 12550, or the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852.

For online condolences and memorial donations, please visit www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.