Dr. Robert "Bob" W. Siemens

August 18, 1925 - June 28, 2021

LOUDONVILLE, NY Dr. Robert “Bob” W. Siemens, 95 years young, died Monday, June 28, 2021 and was received into Glory. He was a beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, pastor, educator, administrator, organist, world traveler, World War II veteran, mentor and friend. Bob made his profession of faith in Jesus Christ at age ten and that decision guided him for the rest of life. Bob was born in Minneapolis, MN on August 18, 1925 to John R. and Gladys A. Siemens nee Ostrom. The oldest of four children, Bob graduated from Oshkosh High School, Oshkosh, WI in May 1943 and enrolled in Westmont College for the fall semester. He registered with the Selective Service Board on his 18th birthday, was drafted and subsequently reported for duty in the U.S. Army on December 7, 1943. Bob served with the 100th Infantry Division, European Theater Operation. He was assigned to the 325th Medical Battalion where he served as a Chaplin’s Assistant until his honorable discharge on May 2, 1946. Wasting no time, Bob immediately registered and enrolled at Chapman College for the summer and fall semesters. He later returned to Westmont College where upon he completed his coursework on The G.I. Bill in January 1949, majoring in Greek. After graduation from Westmont College, Bob enrolled at Gordon Divinity School. On the weekend prior to the start of seminary, Bob met his future wife, Estelle V. Gade, and four years later they married on August 8, 1953. In the intervening time Bob graduated from Gordon Divinity School and at the same time earned his second bachelor’s degree, this one in Divinity. He next enrolled at Boston University and earned a master’s degree in education with a concentration in administration, graduating on June 8, 1953. Over the course of the next nine years Bob served at churches in Everett, Foxborough and Weymouth, MA. Also, during this time his three children were born: David (Jan. 1955); Karen (Aug. 1956) and Mark (Oct. 1960). In 1962, Bob made a career change and for four years taught Latin I at the Roxbury Latin School, Roxbury, MA, as well as served in the Latin School’s admissions office. During this four-year period Bob also assisted in the Christian Education program at Park Street Church, Boston, MA and began & completed his doctoral studies, except for dissertation, in education at Boston University. In the spring of 1966 Bob was offered the position of Headmaster at Loudonville Christian School, Loudonville, NY. In August 1966, Bob moved his family from Walpole, MA to the Albany, NY area and began his twenty-six-year tenure at Loudonville Christian. Under Bob’s leadership and the support of a strong school board, the school flourished; dedicated staff were hired and developed, facilities were added and the school accredited, all with the aim of educating children on behalf of Christian parents. This is captured in the phrase “in loco parentis”. Early in his service to Loudonville Christian School, Bob completed his dissertation and was awarded his Doctor of Education from Boston University on May 23, 1971. Ever alert to God’s calling, Bob served as a pastor of the Ballston Center Presbyterian Church in Ballston Spa, NY for ten years and the Hoosic Valley Church, Schaghticoke, NY for six years. He retired from the Christian School in June 1992. In retirement Bob returned to the Ballston Center Presbyterian Church to play the organ for 12 years. Estelle and Bob loved to travel and travel they did up until Estelle’s passing on September 4, 2005. Bob continued to travel and loved to visit his family; especially as great grandchildren started appearing on the scene. He was known to them as Great Grandpa Bob … we were privileged to call him Dad. Preceding Bob in death was his spouse, Estelle and son, Mark. Survivors include his daughter, Karen E. Messier of Sand Lake, NY, and son, David R. Siemens of Omaha, NE; grandchildren: Eric and Cody Messier, Kimberly Ralph (Chris), Rebecca Perry (Greg) and Scott Siemens (Eleanor); and great grandchildren: Caleb and Abigail Ralph; Madison, Harper and Landon Perry; and Clay, Henry and Wilder Siemens. Visitation with family will be held on Thursday, July 22, 2021, 6:00 – 8:00 PM: Tebbutt and Frederick Memorial Home 633 Central Avenue Albany, NY 12206 Funeral service will be held on Friday, July 23, 2021, 10:00 AM: Loudonville Community Church 374 Loudon Road Loudonville, NY 12211 Interment will in Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, NY Memorials may be made to: “Siemens Scholarship Fund” Loudonville Christian School 374 Loudon Road Loudonville, NY 12211