Robert B. King, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, died at his home in Oriskany Falls February 18, 2025 at the age of 85. Despite being told many times over the last 20 years his cancer and other medical issues would get the best of him, Bob ignored all that and lived his life with joy and gratitude to the very end.

Born in Utica on November 7, 1939, son to Walter and Helen Mathews King. A native of Oriskany Falls, Bob graduated from Oriskany Falls High School in 1957. He was a member of the Oriskany Falls Town baseball team. He also played baseball and soccer in high school and made lifelong friends. After graduation, he joined the Navy as a Gunner's Mate Technician (Nuclear Weaponsman) from 1958 to 1962. From 1960 to 1962, he sailed around the world on the USS Kitty Hawk.

On Dec. 26, 1971, Bob was united in marriage to Pamela Way King. They shared these sacred vows for 53 years. Together they built a loving home and raised two daughters.

Hard work and dedication were instilled in Bob at an early age. Before and after school, Bob worked in the family business, King's Bakery. In 1963, Bob went to work for Eastern Rock/Hanson Aggregates as a heavy equipment operator operating the blacktop paver. He worked there until his retirement in 1996. To pass the time during his retirement, Bob worked part-time for BOCES mowing lawns for local school districts. Bob thought of lawn mowing as a highly specialized skill and took great pride in how his lawn on Sanger Hill Road looked.

Bob enjoyed many activities including ice fishing, golf, hunting and bowling. He bowled in the men's league and also in a couples league with his wife. Bob bowled a perfect 300 game in 1972 and had the highest three-game total in the area at that time with a score of 815. He also enjoyed coffee time as a Round Table member at Tallman's Diner and hunting with the crew on Crow Hill. One of Bob's greatest accomplishments was shooting an 8-point buck at the age of 74.

Bob and Pam supported their family in many ways, including attending as many sporting events as they could. Bob was the king of card games, always challenging his family to beat him with a smirk. He was a member of the Cassety Hollow Rod & Gun Club, the Oriskany Falls United Methodist Church and served on the Oriskany Falls School Board.

Known to many as a gentle giant at 6'4", Bob loved the life he lived. He treated everyone with kindness and respect, firmly believing that you treat others the way you want to be treated.

His legacy lives on through his loving family. He is survived by his wife, Pam of Oriskany Falls; daughters, Kelli (Jeff) Excell of Cicero and Kristi (Corey) Kosmoski of Waterville; granddaughter, Allison Wright (Greg Ingalls); grandson, Nick Kosmoski; and great-granddaughter, Aria Ingalls. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Cathy Way of Utica; brother-in-law, Stewart Olmstead of Deansboro; and many beloved nephews, Steve Slate, Wally (Nina) Slate, Rick (Rhonda) Slate, Jeff (Audrey) Olmstead, Jim Olmstead, Paul (Pamela) Way and great-nephews and nieces.

He was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Arliene and Alfred Chapman, and his sister-in-law, Sue Olmstead.

Joining the family in missing Bob will be his many friends, the birds he fed daily in his yard, his neighbors and anyone who bumped into him at random, where Bob never let anyone walk away a stranger but as a friend. When his family threw him a party when he turned 80 the place was packed with the many people who came to celebrate his life with him.

Spring interment will be at the Hillside Cemetery at the convenience of family. Arrangements were made by the Mark C. Bentz Funeral Service Inc. To express sympathy, please visit www.bentzfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Oriskany Falls Volunteer Fire Department as we are very fortunate to have their service in our community.