MILLBROOK- Robert Ham Alley passed away peacefully on March 18, 2018, at his home in Millbrook, NY. Born on July 21, 1928, in Fishkill Plains, NY to Berthold Swade Alley and Mary Lucy Ham Alley, he lived in the Hopewell Junction area most of his life.
On August 3, 1952, Bob married the former Joan E. Robbins of Poughkeepsie who predeceased him in June 1991. In April 1997, Bob married the former Geraldine Dalmer who survives at their Millbrook home.
Bob is survived by his sister Ruth Hogan of Beekman, NY, three children David Alley (Karen) of Middlebury, CT, Susan Flaminio White of Winston-Salem, NC, Robert Alley (Valerie) of LaGrangeville, NY, and his extended family, Lisa Prentiss (Randy) of Staatsburg, NY and Phillip Grandinetti of Hyde Park. He was so proud of all his grandchildren, Dave(Guilia), Doug(Jenny), Christine(Pat), Stacey(Justin), Scott, Ben, Sam, Phillip Jr., and his new great-granddaughter, Harper. He leaves numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, sisters Mary Shirley Sabellico of Hopewell Junction, Susan Hudson of Wappinger Falls, and brother John Alley of Greenwood Lake.
Bob grew up in Fishkill Plains on the family farm. He attended the one-room schoolhouse on Hillside Lake Road and graduated from Wappingers Central School. Bob eventually left the farm and joined Texaco in Beacon, NY. He started as a mechanic in the R&D area and worked his way up to Supervisor, Human Resources. Bob retired from Texaco after 39 years of faithful service.
Throughout his life, when Bob was not spending time with his family and friends, he was a proud Republican who served the communities of East Fishkill and Millbrook. He is most remembered for being a former East Fishkill Town Justice, East Fishkill Town Supervisor and Dutchess County Legislator for many years. He was influential in bringing IBM to the East Fishkill site and establishing the East Fishkill Police Department. He worked with the East Fishkill Town Board to recognize the Fishkill Plains Community Library as the nucleus for the new East Fishkill Community Library. He sat on numerous town boards and was involved in several civic associations including Little League Baseball, Boy Scouts, Lions Club, United Way and the Hillside Lake Fire Company. He was on the Assessment Renew Board and Planning Board in the Town of Washington and volunteered at The Barn Thrift Shop in Pleasant Valley. He was a member of the Hopewell Reformed Church in Hopewell Junction.
His friends knew they could always find Bob outside “tinkering” with his Wheel Horse tractors, or in his garden pulling weeds. He always considered himself a farmer at heart. He shared fascinating stories and important lessons to all that would listen.
The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Holland and his staff of Pleasant Valley for their care during this difficult time. They ask that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Hudson Valley Hospice, the Hopewell Reformed Church or the charity of your choice. Bob asks that you give back to your community through voluntary service. He always said, “Strong communities make strong and secure nations”.
