Robert Thurling

The Swain Ski Patrol lost one of our alumni when Robert Thurling passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011, after a long illness. He was 78 years old.

Bob was a member of the National Ski Patrol at Swain for 18 years from 1978 to 1996, serving on the awards committee and as Secretary for 4 years.

Born on June 16, 1932, in Schenectady, N.Y., Bob was the son of Joseph and Florence (Morrison) Thurling and was a graduate of Nott Terrace High School and Union College. While in high school Bob began his lifelong commitment to making music, playing the saxophone and clarinet in dance bands in the Capital District and Rochester. His military service was with the 29th Army Band, 10th Mountain Division. Bob had a passion for skiing, music,

woodworking, and all activities related to his children. He was a longtime leader of the Boy Scouts of America and an elder in the Presbyterian Church.

In 1960, Bob married Janeth Beinetti and they raised four children. He worked for Eastman Kodak for 25 years in Rochester, and upon his retirement in 1996, they returned to the Adirondacks, where he served on the Town of Chester Planning Board, the Warren County Planning Board, and on the Board of Directors of the North Country Outreach Center and Upper Hudson Musical Arts.

Bob is survived by his wife, Jan, his sister, Betty Wales of Schenectady, his daughter, Diane Drogosch, his sons, Andrew, John, and Matthew, and eight grandchildren. A memorial service was held on Saturday, March 5, 2011, at the North Creek United Methodist Church. A family celebration of Bob’s life is planned for this summer at his beloved Atateka. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the C.R. Wood Cancer Center, 102 Park St., Glens Falls, NY 12801, or the North Country Outreach Center, P.O. Box 201, North Creek, NY 12853.

Written by Nick Schiavetti, Swain Ski Patrol Alumnus and Harry Stoneham, Swain Ski Patrol Alumnus