Obituary of Dr. Robert H. Huddle, Sr.

Age 93, passed away peacefully, Saturday, June 25, 2016 at Woodbrook Assisted Living Residence. Dr. Huddle was born April 6, 1923 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Elmira, to Harry and Katherine (O'Brien) Huddle. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Ellen and his sister Bernice. Survived by his devoted children, and their spouses, Dr. Robert, Jr. and Kathleen, William and Janet, Dr. Timothy and Linda, Patricia and Stephen Keppler; grandchildren, Christine (Jason Fairfax), Katharine Rose, Molly (Kurt Benninger), Megan, Lindsey (fiancé William Fuller), Scott, Army 1st Lieutenant Jeffery, Mark and Michelle; great-grandchildren, Ellie and Caden; sister Margaret Dudley. Dr. Huddle was a graduate of Southside High School, Class of 1941, University of Rochester, Class of 1943, Georgetown Medical School, Class of 1947. He completed his residency in General Surgery at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester from 1947-1950. He served his country in the U S Army during World War II and as a Captain in the Medical Corp, stationed in Southern France from 1952-1954. Upon returning to the U S he completed a Fellowship in Oncology at Roswell Park Medical Institute from 1954-1955. In 1955 Dr. Huddle returned to his home in Elmira as the first board-certified general surgeon in the area. Over the years he touched the lives of many in this community with his kindness and compassion. Dr. Huddle served as President of the Chemung County Medical Society, President of the St. Joseph's Hospital Medical Staff, Chief of Surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital, President of the Chemung County Board of Health, President of the Chemung County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, Vice President of the Upstate Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, member of the Medical Staff at both St. Joseph's Hospital and the Arnot Ogden Medical Center. He was a devout communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and a member of the Elmira Country Club. Dr. Huddle was blessed to have lived a long and full life and was a man of great strength and courage. In addition, he was a golfer, an avid jogger, and voracious reader. He was fortunate to have traveled the world, most recently attending the 2012 London Olympics. Friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on Thursday, July 28, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, July 29, 2016, 10:00 a.m., Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1100 W. Church Street, Elmira. Committal prayers and military honors will follow at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. Dr. Huddle's family extends a very special thank you to Laurie Sweeney and the staff at Woodbrook Assisted Living Residence and to the caregivers from CareFirst for the exceptional care given to Dr. Huddle over the past few weeks. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dr. Huddle's memory to either, Woodbrook Assisted Living Residence, 1250 Maple Avenue, Elmira NY 14904, or CareFirst, 3805 Meads Creek Road, Painted Post 14870. "Above all, he loved his family with his whole heart!"