Robert C. Fergen

Robert Charles “Bob” Fergen was born in Buffalo, New York on February 16, 1930 to Charles and Eleanor (McCune) Fergen. Bob’s true love was transportation. As a young man his first job was a messenger for the New York Central Railroad where he had the opportunity to meet many vaudeville and other famous show personalities who appeared regularly at the Stage Door and Shay’s Theatre in Buffalo. When the railroad jobs were being phased out, he accepted a truck driving and terminal management position with Lapp Express. Bob moved to Florida in 1986 and worked part-time jobs like house sitting for contractors, marketing a gas additive, managing a mini-golf course and spent four plus years with Burdines at the Town Center Mall in Port Charlotte. Bob enjoyed the company of people, talking, joking and laughing with them. Over time, he prepared and served many BBQ’s, Scotch, Manhattans and “suds”. He will be fondly remembered holding his glass up high and offering a toast of “safe driving to his buddies still on the road” in their BIG rigs. Oh, if he could only take one more trip! Bob was very fond of music, sports, truck and auto racing. He like to go dancing but, when it came to keeping up with his long time friend, Millie, doing the Polka, Rhinelanders, Fox Trot, etc., he always seemed to have two left feet. He met Millie at the New York State Thruway one October afternoon. One cup of coffee lead to 22 years of togetherness. Bob was always thoughtful of others and contributed time and money to many worthwhile humanitarian causes; at the time of his death his eyes were donated to the Lyons Eye Bank. Bob had a large family and often spoke of his one regret that his type of work kept him away from his family and that they grew up never really knowing him very well. Bob passed away April 23, 2007 in Port Charlotte, Florida at the age of 77 and will be greatly missed by his brother, Ronald of Orlando, FL; children, Christopher Fergen of Medina, NY, Dale (James) Fergen of St. Albans, VT, Ronald Fergen of Rochester, NY, Donna (Robert) Roeper of Rochester, NY, Brenda (Jeffrey) Ormond of Medina, NY, Barbara (Francis) Pecorara of Medina, NY, Carl Fergen of Rochester, NY and Shelley (Robert) Sheppard of Dallas, TX ; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and his long time friend and companion, Millie. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Nancy Jean Fergen. A graveside service will be in Waterport, New York at a later date. To express condolences to the family, please sign the online guest book.