Robert Chase

Robert Chase, 97, formerly of Elmira Heights, N.Y., died on Monday, May 1, at the Heritage Hill Senior Center in Weatherly.

He was born in 1908 in Overton to Cecelia and Fred Chase. The family moved to Elmira Heights where they owned a Red and White grocery store for many years. He graduated from Elmira Heights High School in 1927 and Hobart College, Geneva, N.Y., in 1931.

After graduation from Hobart, he was employed in accounting in New York City and earned his CPA at Pace College. In 1934, he returned to Elmira Heights as a cost accountant at the Elmira Knitting Mill. He rose to the presidency of the mill but left in 1963 to join the Chemung County Trust Company as a Trust Officer. He retired in 1973 but continued to work with clients into his early 80s.

An incredibly energetic man, he was a highly respected leader in his community and church. He held a strong belief that one should give himself to his community. He did this by serving as: Elmira Heights village clerk; member, board of education; chairman of the Citizens General Advisory Committee for the school system; assistant treasurer, Sullivan Trail Council Boy Scouts of America; interim director, Association of the Blind; chairman, Red Cross; chairman, Cohen Elementary School PTA and Thomas A. Edison Junior-Senior High School PFO; President, Hobart Club of the Southern Tier and member of its alumni council; committees of the Community Chest.

He served in many capacities at St. John's Episcopal Church, Elmira Heights, and with the Episcopal Churchmen's Association of Chemung County and the Episcopal diocese of Central New York. In his later years, as a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Elmira, he served on the vestry and as the treasurer.

In 1939, he married the former Virginia Helen Rodbourne. She predeceased him in July 2005. He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and brother. He was predeceased by two sisters, Floris Chase and Alice Howe; and one brother, Harold. He is survived by three daughters and their families: Ann and Charles Butler, Virginia and Gerald Levanowitz, and Susan and Charles Marston, Scott and Elizabeth Butler, Susan and Evan Borg, Melissa and Chad Johnson, Christopher Levanowitz, Polly Marston, Wendy Marston, Griffin Borg, Hayden Borg and Connor Johnson. We will deeply miss his unselfish support, guidance and love.

A memorial service for Virginia and Robert will be held in the fall.

Donations may be made to Trinity Church, the Clemens Performing Arts Center or the Arts Guild, Old Forge, N.Y.