Obituary of Robert M. King

Robert M. King, age 88 of Lewiston NY, died Sunday January 26, 2014 in the Buffalo General Hospital after a long illness. Robert was born August 27, 1925 in Augusta, IL, the son of the late Burton E. and Gertrude M. (Shumaker) King. A U.S. Navy veteran of WW II, he served from 1943 until his honorable discharge in 1946. He continued his service through the Naval Reserves for the next 20 years. After the war he attended the University of Illinois and received his B.S. in Chemistry in 1949, a M.S. in Ceramics in 1956, and his PhD in Ceramics in 1958. He had worked for the Illinois State Water Survey and then for the US Steel Research Center in Monroeville, PA before moving to Lewiston in 1960 to work at the Carborundum Company in Niagara Falls. He had also worked for the Glidden Co. and for Airco Speer Electronics in Niagara Falls. Robert took education courses at Niagara University and received his New York State Secondary Teaching certification in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and General Science. He taught at LaSalle Senior High School from 1973 to 1976 and at Niagara Catholic High School from 1979 until his retirement in 1988. Robert was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston. He enjoyed golfing, gardening and home repairs. Robert gave his time to a number of organizations including hundreds of hours building homes with Habitat for Humanity, serving as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 855 in Lewiston and supporting the Science Teachers Association of New York State as treasurer for a number of years. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn L.. (Holmes) King whom he married May 31, 1952; two sons, Kevin A. (Barbara Gabbert) King of Renton, WA and Gregory M. (Rebecca Fadel) King of Jamestown, NC; and his grandchildren, Brendan, Jordan, Ian, and Lydia. He was predeceased by a brother, Hugh King. Services will be private at the convenience of the family. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be made to Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 932, Niagara Falls, NY 14302 or to the First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston, 505 Cayuga St., Lewiston, NY 14092. Arrangements have been entrusted to HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Streets, Lewiston.