R. Henry Knickerbocker

R. Henry Knickerbocker, 90, of Cincinnatus, NY, passed away at his home on Saturday, September 20, 2014, while surrounded by his family.

Henry was born in Cincinnatus, NY on June 25, 1924, the son of the late Edwin and Helen Murray Knickerbocker.  A lifelong resident of the area, he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Cincinnatus.  He was a veteran of WWII, having served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was a member and Past Commander of the Knickerbocker American Legion Post #596.  He retired from the U.S. Post Office after several years of service.  In 1960, he established the Knickerbocker Country Club where he continued to take care of the grounds for over 50 years.  Throughout the years, Henry has enlightened many individuals to the game of golf, some of whom went on to establish their own golf courses.  He was a member and Past Master of the Otselic Valley F&AM #659 and a recipient of the Dedicated Service Award.  He had also served as the Cortland County Republican Chairman, past president of the Cincinnatus School Board, board member for the Cortland County BBC, and for over 30 years served as the president of the BOCES Board.  In addition, he was a life member and Past Chief of the Cincinnatus Fire Department.  For several years, Henry graciously contributed to the overall betterment of the Cincinnatus community through his donation of land for such causes as the Cincinnatus Emergency Squad Building, the Cincinnatus Bus Garage and others.  A loving husband, father, and grandfather, he will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.

Henry leaves behind his loving wife, Brenda Baldwin Knickerbocker; and his five sons, Donald (Pam) Knickerbocker of Cortland, Robert Knickerbocker of Lansing, MI, Mark Knickerbocker, Todd (Sharon Waters) Knickerbocker, and Kim (Cheryl) Knickerbocker, all of Cincinnatus.  He also leaves behind his stepchildren, David (Kimberly Coye) Brown and Steven (Cindy) Brown, all of Preble, and Karen (Peter) Lottridge of Marathon; his brothers, Donald (Ruth) Knickerbocker of Cortland and Francis (Ann) Knickerbocker of South Otselic; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a special nephew, Richard Knickerbocker of N. Potomac, MD, as well as several other nieces, nephews, and cousins; and special friends, Kevin and Luann King and Tom and Sandy Rausa, all of Cincinnatus.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Patricia Knickerbocker, in 1986; brothers, Malcolm and Richard Knickerbocker; and a sister, Jean White.

Funeral services will be held at the United Presbyterian Church of Cincinnatus on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor George Carruth and Fred M.S. Downs officiating.  Burial, with military honors, will be in Cincinnatus Cemetery.  The family will be present to receive friends at the K.L. Sharp Funeral Home, Cincinnatus, NY on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. where a Masonic service will be held at 7:30 p.m.  The family has requested that expressions of sympathy in memory of Henry be directed to a local organization that will enhance the overall betterment of the Cincinnatus and surrounding communities.