Cover photo for David Bobear's Obituary
David Bobear Profile Photo
1930 David 2018

David Bobear

April 11, 1930 — November 29, 2018

David Barry Bobear (“Dave”) died peacefully at home in Macedonia, Ohio on Thursday, November 29, 2018. He was born in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, to the late William H. and May B. Bobear, on April 11, 1930.  Dave graduated from Albany’s Vincentian Institute in 1949 and followed his brother C. Richard Bobear to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated from the General Electric (GE) Apprentice Training Program in 1956.  His life’s passions then took him north to the University of Notre Dame, where Dave received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1959 and married Mary Ellen Huser on July 2, 1960.

Post-graduation, Dave joined the Heavy Military Electronics Department with GE in Syracuse, New York and started a family with the birth of his two daughters. In 1968, Dave was transferred to Schenectady, and the family settled into their lifelong home in Clifton Park. Dave remained with GE in Schenectady until his retirement in 1995, finishing his 40+ year career with the renovation of iconic Building 37 as the Manager of Facility Engineering.  Dave also served on the board and later as President of the Edison Club from 1977 - 1980.

In Clifton Park, Dave became actively involved with the local swim teams and pools, after his two daughters started competitive swimming. Dave served as President of the Knolls Swim Club in the mid-1970s as well as Meet Director for the Junior Olympics from 1973 – 1985 and the Firecracker Meet from 1977 – 1981, all at the Barney Road Pool. More importantly, Dave engineered a pool renovation at Barney Road, adding mere inches to make it regulation length. That led to his role as operations manager of Barney Road Pool and later all three local pools for Robert Van Patten and later for the Town of Clifton Park, from 1978 until 2016. Ironically, Dave had a fear of water, but learned to swim in 2003 at the age of 73.

Once his daughters were in high school, Dave got drawn into Shenendehowa Athletics, as a member of the Shenendehowa School District Advisory Committee and as Swimming Chairman for the Booster Club Sports Council.  Dave worked tirelessly to secure funding for a girl’s high school varsity swimming program, which was finally achieved in 1979, despite the absence of an indoor swimming pool.  And, in 1983, Dave volunteered to install lights over the varsity football field, which still stand today.

Dave spent his retirement years focused on his passions: running the town pools; traveling with his wife, brother and sister; enjoying his grandchildren; and keeping up with Notre Dame football, where he was thrilled to experience the current 12-0 season!

Dave is survived by his wife Mary E. Bobear of Macedonia; his daughters Karen M. Bobear (Donald LaMonica) of Shaker Heights, Ohio and Katherine B. LaMonica (Gregory LaMonica) of Chagrin Falls, Ohio; and his brother C. Richard Bobear of Clifton Park.  He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Ryan, Eammon, Jason, Quinn, Kevin, Kate and Eric LaMonica; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brothers, William J. and John B. Bobear and his sister Jean B. Bobear.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral which will begin Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 569 Clifton Park Center Rd., Clifton Park, NY 12065. Calling hours will be Friday from 4 until 7 p.m. at the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 Route Nine, Clifton Park, NY 12065. Burial will be in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Friday, December 7, 2018

4:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)

Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home

1550 US-9, NY 12065

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Starts at 10:30 am (Eastern time)

St. Edward the Confessor Church

569 Clifton Park Center Rd, NY 12065

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 40

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree