A former president his family’s trucking company in south-central New York state died last month.
Robert C. Root, who was part of Roots Express, Inc. for some 37 years, was 89. Mr. Root had also been a member of the board of directors of the New York State Motor Carriers Association.
The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin profiled Mr. Root.
Here’s his full obituary:
Robert C. Root, age 89, son of Winifred and Stanley Root, of Binghamton, New York, passed away peacefully on the evening of March 11, 2016. He is predeceased by his wife, Phyllis Root (née Meidenbauer), his brother, Stanley Root, and his sister-in-law, Joyce Root. He is survived by his daughter, Pamela Root-Baechle, his sons, Daniel Root and James Root, son-in-law Patrick Baechle, daughters-in-law Rina Drucker-Root and Natalie Reitano-Root, and grand-daughter, Hannah Root.
He was a lifetime resident of the Triple Cities and was born and raised on the East Side. He graduated from North High, Triple Cities College, and Syracuse University with a degree in Economics. He proudly served in the United States Navy during World War II and joined the family trucking business, Root’s Express, Incorporated, in 1951, retiring in 1989.
He was active in many associated transportation organizations, was president of the Traffic Club, and served on the Board of Directors of the New York State Motor Carriers Association. He also served for many years on the Vestry of St. Andrews Episcopal Church and was elected Warden during the 1960s.
Bob lived a full, long life, and was a devoted father and husband. He was kind and decent to his core. His warmth, wit, and ease with others allowed him to strike up a conversation with anyone, and he was once called a “national treasure” by a table of strangers. He touched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know him, from his children, their friends, the drivers with whom he worked, his friends, and most recently, the home health aides who helped him so much through the final months of his life. He was grateful for every friendship and always looked forward to his breakfasts with the teamsters, rounds of golf with friends and strangers, and games of pitch over gin and tonics on the East Branch of the Delaware. We cannot put into words how much he will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s name can be made to Chow/Broome County Council of Churches, 3 Otseningo St., Binghamton, NY 13903.
