Robert S. Birkby

AVERILL PARK Robert S. Birkby, 88, of Crystal Lake Road, died on Monday, April 10, 2006 at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany after a brief illness. Born in Troy, he was the son of the late William and Jessica Howe Birkby and husband for 58 years of Carol F. Dude Crowley Birkby. Bob was a graduate of Troy High School and had resided in Averill Park since 1950. He had retired in 1980 after 26 years from the General Foods Corp., where he had sold Maxwell House Coffee. He had previously been a salesman for Beach Nut Corp. Bob was an Army veteran of World War II and had also served during Korea. Bob was a member of the Crystal Lake Association and was a longtime active communicant of St. Henry's Church in Averill Park. Survivors in addition to his wife include a son, Robert S. Birkby Jr. of Pittsfield, Mass.; two nieces, Jane Kietzman and Jean Farrell and a nephew, Christopher Kit Crowley. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Thursday 9:30 a.m. at St. Henry's Church, Averill Park. Inurnment, Oakwood Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will be held follow the committal service on Thursday 1 p.m. at the Kietzman home at 17 Heather Ridge, Averill Park. Friends are also invited to attend the regular parish Eucharist, which will be celebrated for Bob on Monday, April 17 at 8 a.m. The family requests donations, in memory of Bob, be made to the charity of one's choice. Arrangements by the Perry Komdat Funeral Chapel, Averill Park, N.Y.