Furman Stewart Baldwin
August 27, 1922—December 7, 2020
Millbrae, California
In the very early morning of Monday, December 7, 2020, Furman Stewart Baldwin, television producer and director at WBEN-TV in Buffalo, New York and at the U.S Military Academy at West Point, peacefully passed away at the age of 98 at home in Millbrae, California.
Furman was born August 27, 1922 in Buffalo, New York to Furman Olmstead Baldwin and Fareedy Naseef Baldwin. He was raised on the west side of Buffalo with two brothers and three sisters. Furm had many jobs while going to school and as a young man, including selling popcorn on the ferry, making pie filling and hot fudge in a factory, but most important was the time he spent working in his father’s professional photo studio.
In addition to going to school and working, Furman also dedicated time to gymnastics at the Buffalo Turn Verein. It was there in September of 1940 that he met his life long love, partner, and wife, Peggy.
Furman and Peggy were married immediately after he was commissioned as a U.S. Navy officer and pilot in 1943. He served the country for the rest of World War II in the Pacific theater, flying ammunition and equipment into combat zones and flying wounded servicemen out.
After the war, he completed his bachelor’s degree in two and a half years, and found a job in the new industry of television. He worked for WBEN in Buffalo, starting as a trainee and was soon promoted to producer/director. He worked in live television and on many exciting and adventurous remote productions. While working at WBEN, Furman also went back to school and earned a masters degree at the University of Buffalo. The family lived in Kenmore, N.Y. and summers were frequently spent enjoying the beach at Cedar Bay, Ontario on Lake Erie.
After 15 years at WBEN Furman was offered and accepted the leadership position of the Audiovisual Branch of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The family moved to Cornwall-on-Hudson, N.Y. and built a lovely home with a view of the Hudson. Furman thrived at West Point and received several awards before he retired in 1986. He continued to do free lance script writing for the military, and he and Peggy enjoyed traveling throughout the world. In their later years in Cornwall, Peggy began to develop health problems and eventually they moved to the San Francisco Bay area to be near their children. Throughout this difficult period, Furman always found a way to stay with Peggy, even as she needed a higher level of care. Peggy passed away in 2010 and Furman lost his wonderful life partner.
For the next ten years he continued to live in assisted living, enjoying his community of friends and pursuing his intellectual and creative interests, working on his computer, and producing video shows to entertain the other residents. “Furman’s Flicks” were a big hit that were shown to capacity audiences.
Furman Stewart Baldwin is survived by children, Furman Jr. (Flip), Claire Harrison, and Ronald, grandchildren Justine, Eric, and Alexandra, and great-grandchildren Melissa and Megan. He is pre-deceased by his wife Margaret, his son Frederick, and his grandson Michael.
Furman will be remembered for his devotion to family, his athleticism, his sense of humor and fun, his artistic stained glass work, his world famous photo “Il, Baccio”, and the qualities of personal responsibility, patriotism, and hard work emblematic of America’s “greatest generation” of depression era children who grew up to fight in the second world war.
Robert H. Gee
April 18, 1932 – December 21, 2020
Fort Montgomery, New York
Robert H. Gee passed away on Monday, December 21, 2020 at his home in Fort Montgomery. He was 88 years old.
Son of the late William H. Gee & Elsie Brower Gee, he was born on April 18, 1932 in Newburgh. He was a retired Supervisor at Keller Army Community Hospital in West Point. Robert was also a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Korean War; a retired Custodian for the Highland Falls School District; a member of Sacred Heart Church in Highland Falls; a 25+ year member of the Fort Montgomery Fire Department; and an employee of William F. Hogan Funeral Home.
Robert was the widower of Edwina Delbaugh Gee. Survivors include his daughters: Barbara G. Murphy of Fort Montgomery, Karen J. Diaz of Fort Montgomery & Robin G. Spink & her husband James of Atco, New Jersey; seven grandchildren: Erin, Thomas, Robert, Jason, Jonathan, Kaitlyn & Michelle; and four great-granddaughters: Mackenzie, Julia, Paisley & Madison. He was predeceased by his brother, William E. Gee.
Visitation will be held from 9:00-10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at William F. Hogan Funeral Home, 135 Main Street, Highland Falls. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 353 Main Street, Highland Falls. Interment will be in Eagle Valley Cemetery in the Town of Highlands.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be limited occupancy and we ask you to please adhere to the state regulations regarding face masks and distancing.
Memorial contributions may be made to Town of Highlands Volunteer Ambulance Corps., P.O. Box 35, Highland Falls, New York 10928.
Arrangements by William F. Hogan Funeral Home, Highland Falls. (845) 446-2868.
Phyllis Chaney Murphy
November 14, 1924 – December 12, 2020
Altadena, California
Phyllis Chaney Murphy passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2020, at the MonteCedro Retirement Community in Altadena, California, after a short illness. She was 96 years old. Phyllis’ daughter, Phyllis Lynes, was by her side. Mrs. Murphy was a long term resident of Highland Falls, New York, who relocated to California five years ago. Phyllis is the widow of Frank Murphy, a lifetime resident of Highland Falls.
Daughter of the late Alfred Allen Chaney from Gambrills, Maryland, and Minnie May Phillips from Stony Point, New York, Phyllis was born on November 14, 1924, in Gambrills, Maryland. She was the middle child of seven. Phyllis grew up in New York, Maryland, and Virginia and graduated from Clarksville High School in Virginia in 1942. Upon graduation, she moved to New York City with her family, after her father accepted a position as a radiologist with the Veteran’s Administration.
Although Phyllis planned to attend Hunter College, the opportunity to serve her country at West Point as a civilian employee presented itself. She told her family the job was temporary, but she remained there for almost 40 years, serving cadets and officers in the Finance, Personnel, and Admissions Offices. During this time she received many awards for her outstanding work performance. Her passion for people and her endless ability to serve others earned her the coveted mounted cadet saber, when she retired, an accolade not previously awarded to a woman. She also received the Supintendent’s Citation Award for Outstanding Service.
During Phyllis’ career she raised a daughter, completed her degree in Personnel and Business Management, and served her community. When she retired in 1983 to spend time with her grandchildren, her community service became an even greater passion. Her many community service endeavors earned her the Mayor’s Woman of Distinction Award in 2005.
She was also active in the National Society Daughters of the American Colonists (NSDAC) and in the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) serving in leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels. She was serving as the Committee Chair for two committees in the Martin Severance DAR Chapter in Pasadena, California, at the time of her death. Her most cherished DAR role was serving on the DAR New York State Board from 2009 to 2012 for State Regent Denise VanBuren’s Administration.
Phyllis’ passion for others continued after her move to California in 2015. When she moved into her new home in MonteCedro, she joined the Colorful Conversations group, the choir, the 90+ Club, and most importantly the Welcome Committee. Along with some friends, she initiated the informal Friday night sing-a-long in the lobby. The transition to a new community was difficult for Phyllis and because of this she did everything possible to make the transition easier for others. She started a welcome table for new residents so that they would not have to eat alone; consequently she is described by MonteCedro friends and team members as an inspiration “ a very special lady”.
Survivors include her daughter and son in-law, Phyllis and Bill Lynes, her grandsons and their families, Will and Beatrice Lynes and their daughter Iseult “Ollie”, and Dr. John Lynes and Dr. Pearla Baten. Aunt Phyllis will also be missed by her many nieces and nephews, who adore the “family matriarch”.
A memorial visitation will be held at the William F. Hogan Funeral Home in Highland Falls, New York, on January 7, 2021, between 2 pm. and 4 pm. Covid procedures will be followed. A private burial will take place on January 8, 2021.
A Zoom Memorial Service will be held on January 10, 2021, at 5:00 pm EST (2:00 pm PST). All family and friends are invited to this service. For an invitation and a link to attend the virtual service contact Phyllis.lynes@gmail.com
Instead of flowers, the family requests donations be made to www.dar.org, the DAR President General’s Project: The Next Act, to restore Constitution Hall; or the Sacred Heart Church in Highland Falls, where Phyllis was a member for almost 70 years.
Arrangements by William F. Hogan Funeral Home, 135 Main St., Highland Falls, NY. (845) 446-2868.
BG (Ret) General Robert M. Wilson
July 22, 1928 —December 21, 2020
Williamsburg, Virginia
BG (Ret) General Robert M. Wilson died on December 21st, 2020 at Patriots Colony, Williamsburg Va. Robert Maris Wilson was born on July 22, 1928 in Evanston, Illinois, the son of Leroy C. and Dorothy R. Wilson. He graduated from West Point in 1950 and was commissioned as an officer into the Army Corps of Engineers.
As an Army Corps of Engineers Officer, General Wilson has served in various command, staff, and leadership positions including the Engineer OCS, Louisville Engineer District, a tour of Korea, Assistant Executive and Aide to the Chief of Engineers.
Two tours in Germany, during the second of which he Commanded the 79th Engineer Battalion. A tour in Vietnam during which he was assigned to the Operational Plans Branch, J-3. After Vietnam he was assigned to the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs at The Pentagon. He was stationed at West Point twice, first as Associate Professor for Solid Mechanics, and then later as Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
General Robert Wilson earned his master’s degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a second master’s degree from Shippensburg University, and his PhD from Lehigh University.
During 1979-80, on sabbatical leave from West Point, Bob served as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Engineer in Headquarters, US Army, Europe.
At the end of December 1983, Bob retired from the Army. On his retirement, after more than 33 years of active service, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and promoted to Brigadier General. Over the course of his distinguished service he was awarded the following Decorations and Commendations: Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), National Service Defense Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Staff Service Medal First Class, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Badge with Palm, and two Overseas Service Badges.
For several years after leaving the Army, Bob worked as the Chief Engineer of R. J. Moore and Associates, Inc., a building inspection firm based in Annapolis, MD.
General Wilson is survived by his wife of 63 years, Winnifred (Peggy) Engeman Wilson, and sons Roderick, Frederick, Edward, their spouses Karen, JoAnne, and Deittra (respectively), six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Burial will be at West Point, New York, at a later date.