Surrounded by his loving family, Robert Allen “Coach” Addison, died on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013, at Glens Falls Hospital.
Mr. Addison graduated from Alliance High School in Ohio before obtaining his bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College. There he was inducted into the Heisman Hall of Fame. He continued his education at New York University where he graduated with his master’s and Ed.S. degree.
Several states were lucky to have Mr. Addison as a teacher for their colleges: New Jersey, Maine and Nebraska. He eventually settled down in the Glens Falls, N.Y. area and served as the first director of athletics in Adirondack Community College. Later he became a full-time professor and coach, retiring from ACC after 29 years. In 2013, he became the first inductee into the SUNY Adirondack Athletic Hall of Fame.
An original Edson’s Raider with the U.S. Marine Corps, Mr. Addison served in the South Pacific during WWII and in the Korean conflict. He enjoyed attending the Edson’s Raider’s Reunion in Quantico, Va. each year. Honorably, he was inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame for service to his country in 2013.
He spread the wealth of knowledge he earned through living history by educating today’s youth on the history of WWII as a speaker in area high school around Glens Falls. Mr. Addison was active with the First Baptist Church of Glens Falls, the Marine Corps Memorial Detachment No. 2, Post No. 233 American Legion of Glens Falls and the Edson’s Raider’s (1st Marine Bn) Association. He served as a member of the Neighborhood Association as well.
Mr. Addison is preceded in death by his parents, Robert K. and Frances (Richards) Addison; wife, Elizabeth Davenport; sisters, Edith Graffice and Martha Jane Arnold; and a brother, William Addison.
He is survived by his children, Allen Addison of Glens Falls, N.Y., Karen and David Taylor of Williamsburg, Rebecca and Frank Troelstra of Glens Falls, N.Y., Virginia Siegler of Van Nuys, Calif. and Edith Addison of Glens Falls, N.Y.; grandchildren, Ben and Amy Troelstra of Glens Falls, N.Y., Luke and Jenny Taylor of Williamsburg and Jesse, Dylan and Riley Siegler of Van Nuys, Calif.; many “day care grandchildren”; sister, Carol Peters and her husband, Joe, of Alliance, Ohio; brother, Russell Addison and his wife, Eleanor, of Bradenton, Fla.; in-laws, Jack Kloeber of Dallas, Pa., Polly Czar and her husband, George, of Pittston, Pa., Emily Foster and her husband, Don, of Plattsmouth, Neb., Ellen Davenport of Boston and Jane Davenport of Omaha, Neb.; many nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and great-nephews; caregivers, Mary West-Hannigan, Sara Crannell, Charlie the dog, Debbie Bombard, RoseMarie Seabury, Marie Bell, Ginny Tramposh, Tom Tramposh, Tim Benner, Betty Young and Sue Arnold; six “granddogs”; and many friends and neighbors.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013, at the First Baptist Church of Glens Falls with the Rev. Donald Shuler officiating. A reception at the church followed the services.
A private interment took place at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.
Donations in Mr. Addison’s memory can be made to SUNY Adirondack Foundation, 640 Bay Road, Queensbury, NY 12804; Memorial Detachment No. 2, Marine Corps League, “Toys for Tots,” P.O. 322, Glens Falls, NY 12801; or The SPCA, P.O. Box 171, Hudson Falls, NY 12839. Bob’s family requests in his memory, please do an act of random kindness.
Online condolences can be made by visiting www.carletonfuneralhome.net.
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