Chief Michael F. Robich

COHOES Michael Francis Robich passed away on June 29, 2023, at 94 years old. He was born November 12, 1928, in Cohoes, New York, and was a lifelong resident of the City.
Michael was a graduate of Cohoes High School. He obtained an Associate in Applied Science degree in Police Science from Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Science and a Master's degree in Public Administration from Russell Sage College in Albany, New York.
Michael served in the New York National Guard and Reserves of the Army of the United States, Company B – 727th Armed Ordinance BN, from 1948 to 1957. He achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class, and was honorably discharged.
Michael spent 42 years with the Cohoes Police Department, rising from Patrolman in 1951, Detective Sergeant in 1958, Detective Lieutenant in 1962, Captain to head Detective Division in 1963, and was appointed Chief of Police in 1972. He retired from the force in 1993, after serving as Chief for over 20 years.
Michael also acted as an evaluator for the New York State Department of Regents, evaluating course curriculum for the New York State Police. He was an assessor for the New York State Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, Department of Criminal Justice Services, NYS. He was a Police Promotional Examiner for the New York State Civil Service; a certified instructor for the Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Justice of NY; and a certified lecturer for the Department of Correctional Services. He was an Adjunct Professor at Russell Sage College (Dept. of Criminal Justice), and Adjunct Faculty at the Rockefeller School of Management, SUNY, Albany, NY. He was a Law Enforcement Management Consultant for New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.
Michael's professional and community service included the Law Enforcement Officer Society of New York (Past President); Cohoes Police Benevolent Association (Past President); New York State Association of Chiefs of Police (Membership Committee-Chairman, Scholarship Committee-Vice-Chairman, Budget Committee-Chairman, Division of Criminal Justice Services Liaison Committee, Law and Legislative Committee, and Police Training Committee-Chairman, and President 1985-1986); International Association of Chiefs of Police; Northeastern Chiefs of Police Conference (Past President); New York State Police Holy Name Society(Past President); International Academy of Criminology; International Academy of Criminology Arson Committee (Chairman); Russell Sage Criminal Science Alumni Association; Model Cities Crime and Delinquency Committee (Chairman); Cohoes Youth Bureau (Chairman); Social Services Planning Committee Community Development; Nelson Amendment Advisory Board; Cohoes Narcotics Guidance Council; Salvation Army Advisory Board (Chairman); St. Joseph's Church Council; Capital District Psychiatric Advisory Board; Cohoes Community Action Program Board; Cohoes Rotary Club (Past President); Cohoes Senior Citizens Advisory Board (Past President); National Legislative Services and Security Association; Albany County Traffic Safety Board; Albany County Advisory Board – Alternatives to Incarceration; Zone 5 Regional Training Academy Advisory Board at Hudson Valley Community College (Chairman); and New York State Retired Police Association (Vice Chairman and Chairman).
Michael received several special awards and honors: Governor's Certificate of Public Service in Civil Defense (1959); Albany County Certificate of Meritorious Service in Civil Defense (1963); City of Cohoes Recognition of Services in Civil Defense (1964); Achievement for Academic Excellence from Hudson Valley Community College (1968); Honorary Life Membership to the New York State Congress of Teachers and Parents (1974); New York State Moose Association Police Honor Award as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year (1974); Cohoes Police Department's Educational Achievement Award (1976); New York State Department of Correctional Services in Recognition of Contribution to Training (1981); Distinguished Alumnus Award from Russell Sage College (1981); and Cohoes Police Departments 35 Year Honorable Service Award (1986),
Michael was a loving husband, supportive father, and doting grandfather. He will be sorely missed.
Michael is survived by his wife Mabel (Carey) Robich, his children, daughter Pamela (Michael) Robich-Wright, and son John (Teri) Robich, granddaughter Amber (Jason) Couse, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by parents Frank and Dorothy Robich, sisters Pauline (Edward) Barto, Anna (Frank) Shavney, Jeanette (Marcil) Marion, and Julia (William) Glaser, and brothers Stephen (Olinda) Robyck and Peter (Ceal) Robich.
The family would like to thank the staff and nurses at Rosewood Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Rensselaer for their excellent care of Michael.
Calling hours are scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5th at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 105 Vliet Boulevard, Cohoes. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 6th in the funeral home with interment to follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Waterford.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.