William R. Knipscher

Knipscher, William R.

William Robert Knipscher, 71, Vestal, NY, passed away unexpectedly on November 11, 2017. A gentleman and a gentle man, an intellectual and Renaissance thinker with a hunger for knowledge and compassion for those less fortunate, he had the head of a king but the heart of a common man. An active and integral member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Binghamton, he had strongly-held progressive views.

Bill was a student of golf, investing, and politics. He loved reading the New York Times and Scientific American, as well as watching C-SPAN, CNBC, BBC News, and sci-fi movies. NPR was always playing in his car and on his headphones. He shared his knowledge and ideas with all who would listen, especially his kids. He loved gadgets of all kinds, especially those of his own making, and when he fixed something, as he often did, it never broke again. His new-found love for motorcycle riding and playing the slot machines at Tioga Downs (a penny at a time) provided many happy hours this fall, and he pursued these activities with the same analytical zeal with which he played the Lotto, which he insisted he won more than the average person.

A creative and adventurous youth, he spent many happy hours devising rockets that actually flew and radios that actually transmitted. He loved listening to Yankee games and watching sci-fi classics. He graduated from Union College in Schenectady, NY, and became a beloved high school English teacher and guidance counselor at Livingston Manor and Roscoe Central Schools, where he is remembered by his students as a warm and caring professional. He was a master of words and had a charming wit. In retirement, he dabbled in drawing, especially portraits of his friends - and, of course, political cartoons.

He was the son of the late William G. Knipscher and Helen Bradley Knipscher and the brother of the late Mary Anne Knipscher. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Nancy (Sandhusen), four children, Eliza (Chicago), Riley (Binghamton), Nathaniel and Daniel at home, a sister and brother-in-law (Betty and Mark Kennedy, Batavia, NY) and brother (Richard and his partner Diane, Lincroft, NJ), several nieces and nephews, his wife's siblings and mother, and his beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Gus, who will miss his partner-in-crime. Bill lived for his kids and applauded each and every accomplishment. He will be dearly missed by all.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 25th at 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Binghamton, 183 Riverside Drive, Binghamton, NY. All are welcome to attend.

Expressions of sympathy in his memory can be made to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation (UUCB) at the address above.