Robert Fay Rockwell Jr.

ROCKWELL,
Robert Fay Jr.
Robert Fay Rockwell, Jr., founder of The Rockwell Museum in Corning, NY, died Friday, April 17, 2009, at his home on West Third Street in Corning. He was 97. Born in Bradford, PA on November 8, 1911, Bob was the son of the late Robert Fay Rockwell, Sr. and Aileen Miller. He married Hertha Godley in Corning, NY on December 29th, 1941. She predeceased him in October, 2004. Bob graduated from Paonia High School in Paonia, CO. He attended Whittier College in CA, and then graduated from Stanford University in 1933. Bob served with the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving in North Africa. A resident of Corning since 1933, Bob owned and operated The Rockwell Company and the Carder Steuben Glass Shop until his retirement in 2005. He and his wife were members of Christ Episcopal Church of Corning. Bob was also a member of the Corning Museum of Glass, Spencer Crest Nature Center, Corning Rotary Club, the Corning Chamber of Commerce, The Rockwell Museum and the Horse Vigilante Society. He was a former member of the American Legion and VFW. Bob was a member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, a member of the Buffalo Bill Historical Society, Corning-Painted Post Historical Society, and the Salvation Army. He served as President of the Corning Rotary Club and of the Corning Chamber of Commerce. Bob received many awards and honors during his life, including the Paul Harris Fellowship Award from Corning Rotary Club; Trustee of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame; Steuben County Hall of Fame; Honorary Juris Doctor degree from Whittier College; Distinguished Service Award from Five Rivers Council of Boy Scouts of America; John Eberenz Enterprise Award; Spencer Crest Nature Center Conservator Award; Trustee of the Corning Museum of Glass; Humanitarian Award from American Red Cross; Honorary Rotarian Award; Bob Scriver's Award for outstanding contributions to western art; Congressional Proclamation from U.S. Representative Eric Massa; Bob Rockwell Day from the City of Corning (also given the key to the city); Judge at "Arts in the Park", Jackson, Wyoming; Salvation Army Others Award; Trustee and later Trustee Emeritus of The Rockwell Museum of Western Art. He is survived by one daughter, Sandra (Donn) Herron of La Habra Heights, CA; and by one son, Robert Rockwell III of Corning, NY; granddaughter, Sara Rockwell of Corning, NY; granddaughter, Christine Herron of La Habra Heights, CA; great-granddaughter, Katelyn Cervoni of Corning, NY; nephew, Dan Rockwell of Crawford, CO; niece, Kay Dunlap of Cleveland Heights, OH; niece, Patricia Nelson of Houston, TX; and nephew, Hud Dunlap of Dallas, TX. Robert was predeceased by one brother, Wilson Rockwell; and by daughter-in-law, Marie Rockwell. Friends are invited to call at Phillips Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 17 W. Pulteney Street in Corning on Thursday, April 23rd, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and on Friday, April 24th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 25th, at 2:00 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, Corning, NY with Reverend Kit Tobin officiating. Burial will be at Hope Cemetery Annex in Corning. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to: Spencer Crest Nature Center, P.O. Box 22, Corning, NY 14830 (please designate "Restricted Fund" in the memo section); Southern Tier Hospice and Palliative Care, 11751 East Corning Road, Corning, NY 14830; Chemung County Humane Society, 2435 State Rt. 352, Elmira, NY 14903; Rockwell Museum, Curatorial Fund, 111 Cedar St., Corning, NY 14830; or to a charity of one's choice.