EARLVILLE – Robert Winfield Knickerbocker, 85, of S. Main St., passed away at his home on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. 
 He was born Sept. 13, 1927, a son of Wilbur T. and Catherine McCormick Knickerbocker, in New Garden, OH, but spent most of his life in New Berlin, Columbus, Glenfield, and Earlville. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy. On June 6, 1948, he married the love of his life, Grace M. Parker, in New Berlin. He retired March 1, 1989 from Kraft Foods, Inc. as a manufacturing engineer following 46 years of combined service at the South Edmeston and Lowville plants. Bob loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed hunting and outdoor photography. He was also an accomplished woodworker who made many special gifts for his family.
Bob held a strong belief in God. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Earlville/Poolville, where he served as Trustee. Prior to that, he was a member of the Glenfield Methodist Church. When their children were in school, Bob and Grace served many years as adult leaders to the youth group at the Columbus Community Church, where he also was a deacon and adult bible school teacher.
 Married 64 years, Robert is survived by his loving wife, Grace; his children, Roberta (Bobbie) Gurtowski of Seattle, WA; Sue Cross of Smyrna; Sherry Gustin of Canastota; grandchildren, Melissa Irons of Shoreline, WA; Robert Cross of Davenport; Kimberly Zewdu of Renton, WA; Elizabeth Wormuth of Rome; Stephanie Gustin, Nicole Allen, Corey Gustin, all of Canasota; great-grandchildren, Venetia, Samaria, Emily and Jacob; sister, Betty Murtagh of Norwich; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Louise Garrison and Mary Foulds; and a brother, Wilbur Knickerbocker, Jr.
 Friends are invited to call at the Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 3 Preston St., Earlville from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday. The funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, across the street at the First United Methodist Church. Interment will be held in the spring with military honors.
To send a condolence and sign the Book of Memories online go to www.burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com.