Obituary of Rev. Robert A. Aldrich

GENEVA- Rev. Robert A. Aldrich, 91, went Home to be with his Lord and Savior, whom he loved and served, on Fri. (Sept. 8, 2023), at Strong Memorial Hospital. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Sat. (Sept. 16), at the Phelps Baptist Church; 28 Church St. Phelps, NY. The committal will be held at the convenience of the family in Indian Mound Cemetery, Moravia, NY. Memorial contributions may be directed to “The Gideons International”, P.O. Box 140800; Nashville, TN 37214. Rev. Aldrich was born in Canandaigua of parents Paul J. and Pauline D. (Miller) Aldrich. He graduated from Moravia High School in 1950. After attending Houghton College for one year, he took summer school courses at Wheaton College in IL and transferred back to Houghton to receive a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Bible, in 1954. While doing graduate work at Columbia International in SC, he met and married Janet Amundson on Oct. 21, 1955. The Rev. Aldrich was ordained an Independent Baptist minister at the North Syracuse Baptist Church on Dec. 9, 1957, while pastoring his first church in Southwood/Jamesville. He was later called to pastor in Mexico; Hermitage/Gainesville; Cottage City/Canandaigua; Covert Baptist of Trumansburg; and NaplesFirst Baptist Church. In 1973, Rev. Bob was a charter member of FLACRA. He also led children’s BIBLE Clubs and was a member of “Child Evangelism Fellowship (L.O.Y.)” committee of which he was chairman for a few years. Through the years of ministry, Rev. Bob volunteered for the American Red Cross, and was chaplain of the Crystal BeachVol. Fire Dept, while at Cottage City. He was a lover of music in many forms. In 1974, he helped organize a benefit, “Children’s Theater” of Crystal Beach. In the summer of 1969, both Bob and his wife, Janet were employed at the LeTourneau CHRISTian Camp, Rushville, NY. He later had employment as a substitute teacher, delivering of newspapers and lawn/yard work. During his earlier years as pastor, he had sales and management jobs. While ministering in Mexico, he was a certified P.A. case worker for the Oswego County Dept. of Social Services. All of these supplemental positions gave valuable experience to understand people's needs and capabilities. In the most later years, he was caregiver to his disabled wife and chauffeured other disabled to appointments and to run errands. He is survived by his son, John T. Aldrich of Essex, MD; daughter, Karen R. Aldrich of Orlando, Fla.; grandsons, Matthw Lyons and Adam M. Randall; granddaughter, Karolin Aldrich; step-granddaughters, Kari Severino and Aaura Randall; step-grandson, Timothy Randall; one step-great-granddaughter; many cousins. Rev. Aldrich was predeceased by his wife, Janet; and only sibling, M.C.R. (Pfc) Donald, killed in action in 1945.