Ralph H. Poole III

GENEVA - Ralph H. Poole III, of Geneva, passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025.

Better known as Rob to his friends, who included every person he's met, he was born May 8 1946, in Manhattan, N.Y. Rob graduated from The Millbrook School in Millbrook, N.Y., in 1964 and Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, in 1968.

After college he volunteered for the US Army, was accepted to the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga. and achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He served a tour in Vietnam beginning in 1971.

After his service, he returned first to Colorado - living as a ski bum and spending time with his sister, Marten - followed by a canoe expedition to the Northwest Territories with his brother, Alan. Eventually, he returned home to Geneva to begin a life of farming, where he owned and operated Bellwood Farm, known for the Finger Lakes' best sweet corn.

A true conservationist, he cared deeply for the preservation of the land and manorhouse that have been the cornerstone of his life. Engaged in civic society, he served on the Geneva town planning board - with many years as chairman - for more than 20 years while helping found the Geneva Youth Hockey program.

In later life, his extensive knowledge was called upon to give talks on the Town of Geneva's agricultural and architectural past.

He enthusiastically cheered on his children, grandchildren, and the Cornell Big Red in hockey and lacrosse.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph H. Poole Jr. and Kitty Wickes Poole; and his sister, Marten Ann Poole.

He is survived by three sons, Ethan (Shannon) of Canandaigua, N.Y., and Devin (Dawn) and Carson (Elyse), both of Chicago, Ill., and their mother, Carolyn McAllister of Dresden, N.Y.; five granddaughters, Aria and Lilliana Poole, Evelyn and Alice Poole, and Mildred Agnello Poole; his sister, Mary Forsyth Poole, and brother, Alan Forsyth Poole.

We will miss his deeply engaging, wide-ranging and interesting knowledge and life stories - most of which we believe to be true.

His family will host a memorial service on Saturday, May 16 - details to follow - for those wishing to celebrate a life well-lived. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you hold his memory close until we gather in the spring.