Robert Birchenough Obituary

Robert Henry Birchenough Jr.

December 25, 1940 - December 14, 2024

QUEENSBURY - Dr. Robert Henry Birchenough Jr. of Queensbury, New York, passed away peacefully at home in the early hours of Saturday, December 14. Born in 1940 on Christmas day in the town of Bethlehem, hamlet of Slingerlands, New York, he was the son of Robert Henry Birchenough Sr. and Ethel Newcomb Kattrein Birchenough. He was 83.

A dedicated family man who loved outdoor activities, especially at his beloved Lake George, Bob was a doctor, investor, and math teacher fond of skiing, golf, travel, history, chess, and photography. He completed his internship in internal medicine at the University of Connecticut in 1980, residency in radiology at Hartford Hospital, and practiced radiology from 1981 to 1995 at Windham Hospital in Willimantic, Connecticut. He also worked as an investment manager with Kensington Management in Farmington, Connecticut, from 1981 to 2000. Reading x-rays for UConn's basketball teams sparked Bob's lifelong fandom. He was spotted roller skiing on Farmington roads so often that the local paper published a profile calling him the "Roller Skiing Doctor."

A graduate of Slingerlands Elementary School, Bethlehem Central Junior & Senior High School (1959), University of Maine at Orono (BA, 1964), and Syracuse University (MS, 1965), Bob served as a math teacher and downhill and cross-country ski coach at Niskayuna High School from 1965 to 1972 before applying to medical schools in his thirties. Because US medical schools did not accept students that 'old' at the time, Bob completed two years of medical school in Mexico at the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara before transferring back to the US, receiving his MD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1980.

Bob married the love of his life in 1973, Elizabeth (Betsy) Langmore. Betsy was initially thrilled to marry a teacher with some summer free time rather than a doctor constantly on call, but that was not to be! Bob and Betsy's move with their young daughter Pamela to Guadalajara for Bob's medical studies was one of the first of the many exciting travel adventures they shared during their 52 years together. They enjoyed outdoor activities including hiking, canoeing, skiing, and golfing and traveled the world, sharing many great memories during epic journeys including India to Bhutan to China; Australia to New Zealand; Costa Rica; Peru; and Tanzania. Bob had a special fascination for Italy and traveled its spectacular coastlines and countryside with Betsy many times. They enjoyed numerous trips to Europe during the decades when Pam and her family lived in Budapest, and Betsy organized annual radiology conferences in Europe and around the world for Radiology International, Inc.

Bob's absolute favorite place in the world, however, was Lake George, New York. Generations of his family camped on its many islands and rented summer cottages on Cleverdale peninsula, and he continued the tradition every summer. He often camped with his family during summer vacations at his favorite campsite, Black Mountain Number 10. Upon Bob's semi-retirement in 1995, he and Betsy bought a house on Cleverdale, where they lived for over 20 years. Bob enjoyed taking friends out in his boat and sharing the beauty, history, and geology of the lake with guests from around the world at 'Betsy & Bob's B & B,' including many musicians participating in the annual Lake George Music Festival. His love of the lake was reflected in his many volunteer positions as a member of the board of directors for the Lake George Association (2004-7), Fund for Lake George (2008-12), and Lake George Land Conservancy (2012-18).

Bob lived first and foremost for his family. He valued education highly and enjoyed supporting the education of his children, grandson, relatives, friends, and neighbors. Sharing meals and discussions with family sustained him later in life. Among the many loving relatives left to cherish his memory are his wife Betsy; daughter Pamela Birchenough Kilpadi, son-in-law Rohit Kilpadi, and grandson Ryan Kilpadi of Cambridge, Massachusetts; brother David Birchenough and partner Judi Lang of Keene, New Hampshire; niece Sandy Birchenough Rabeno; nephew John Birchenough; brother-in-law Peter Langmore, his wife Barbara, and daughters Sarah and Elizabeth; and brother-in-law Larry Langmore, his wife Susan, and daughters Laura and Katie.

A service in celebration of Bob's life will take place on Sunday, December 29 at 12:30 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 172 Ottawa Street, Lake George, New York, followed by a buffet lunch.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made online or by check to the Lake George Land Conservancy, 4905 Lake Shore Drive, Bolton Landing, New York, 12814; or by check to St. James Episcopal Church, 172 Ottawa Street, Lake George, New York, 12845.

For those who wish, on line condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sbfuneralhome.com