Obituary of Robert D. Huxtable

LITTLE FALLS - Robert D. Huxtable, 89, a longtime resident of Little Falls, died Sunday, September 17, 2006 at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, NY after a long illness. Born in Utica, NY in 1917, he was the son of Dr. Charles Darwin Huxtable and Ruth Spencer Huxtable. Mr. Huxtable was married to Carole Mazzone in 1944 and they observed their 60th wedding anniversary before her death in December 2004. Educated in Newport, NY and at Cornell University, Mr. Huxtable operated dairy farms with his brother in the Town of Fairfield, NY from 1941 to 1951. In the early 1950's he was employed by the Veterans Administration as a teacher in the Veterans On-Farm Training program. He began working at the Herkimer County Trust Company in 1953 as a field representative in the Farm Loan Department, retiring as a loan officer in 1982. Among Mr. Huxtable's many interests and affiliations were the Boy Scouts of America Camp Russell Council, Alderman of the 2nd Ward on the Little Falls Common Council, the Little Falls YMCA Board of Directors, and member of the Friends of Herkimer Home, where he frequently led demonstrations of pewter casting at the historic site. An artist allhis life, a retrospective show of his paintings, engravings, and drawings was held earlier this year at the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts. In addition to his artwork, Mr. Huxtable was a gardener, woodworker, and a lifelong student of astronomy, photography, and botany. In February 2003, his illustrated recollections of his father's veterinary practice was published in Adirondack Life magazine. He is survived by a daughter, Teresina Huxtable Jerling (Michael) of Saratoga Springs, NY, nephews Michael Huxtable of Portsmouth, NH, Robert Mazzone of Armonk NY, nieces Arlene F. Carlon of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Nora Mazzone of Rye Brook, NY and a loving extended family of cousins, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and one brother John S. Huxtable. A memorial service and internment will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls. There are no calling hours It is the wish of the family that contributions in memory of Mr. Huxtable be considered to the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts, 403 S. Ann St., Little Falls, NY 13365, or Friends of The Herkimer Home, 200 State Route 169, Little Falls, NY 13365. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home for this purpose.