Robert P. "Bob" Elsenheimer, Arkport, NY 01.03.04

[TowZone]

Monday, January 05, 2004
Obituaries
Robert P. "Bob" Elsenheimer




ARKPORT | Robert P. "Bob" Elsenheimer, 85, well know Hornell businessman for the past 45 years, of 30 Main St., Arkport, passed away Saturday afternoon (Jan. 3, 2004) at St. James Mercy Hospital.

Born in North Hornell on Nov. 11, 1918, he was a son of the late Carl and Marie Case Elsenheimer. On Sept. 9, 1944, he was married in McComb, Miss. to the former Minnie Chapman, who predeceased him on Apr. 12, 1997. In 1999 he was married in Arkport to the former Lois Emerson, who survives.

A life long resident of Arkport, Bob was a graduate of the former Arkport Union School in 1935. In 1939 he graduated from the former Mechanics Institute in Rochester (now known as Rochester Institute of Technology).



He was a veteran of World War II, having served from 1942 to 1945 with Company C, 245th Infantry regiment, 63rd Infantry Division. He attained the rank of First Sergeant and was the recipient of two bronze stars, one for meritorious achievement in active ground combat during the period of December 1944 to September 1945 and the other for heroic achievement in action on April 21, 1945 in the vicinity of Sulzdorf, Germany.

Bob was associated with his father and brother in the former Arkport Motor Company and in 1963 he established Elsenheimer Chevrolet, Inc. in Hornell. In 1972 his son, Duffy, became associated with the business, which is now celebrating its 40th anniversary. Upon his semi-retirement, at the age of 65, Bob established a tow truck business which offered for sale tow trucks and flat bed carriers. It became the largest stocking and selling tow truck business in the United States.

A member of the Arkport Presbyterian Church for the past 73 years, Bob was formerly or currently a member of many organizations including, a member and Past Commander of Arkport American Legion Post No. 1248, the Arkport Fire Dept., a member and past president of the Arkport Exchange Club, the Hornell Rotary Club, Hornell Elks Lodge No. 364, member and past president (1966) of the Hornell Area Chamber of Commerce, member and past president (1970s) of the Hornell Country Club Board of Directors and served on the Board of Directors of the former Bethesda Community Hospital in North Hornell for over 30 years, serving as Chairman of the Board several times. He was also a member of the New York State Automobile Dealers Assoc. and the Rochester Automobile Dealers Assoc.

His family includes his wife Lois; his son Duffy (Barbara) Elsenheimer of Arkport; his two daughters, Carolyn Mosher of Pittsford and Diane Lewis of Irondequoit; his six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; his two stepsons, James Kinnerney of Bishopville and Daniel (Donna) Kinnerney of Hornell; his two stepdaughters, Kathleen Foster of Canaseraga and Karen (Lawrence) Bradley of Lakeland, Fla.; his 10 stepgrandchildren; also his nieces, nephews and a cousin.

Calling hours are from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Arkport Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. David Kilgore officiating. Interment will be in the Arkport Cemetery.

Those wishing may contribute in Bob's memory to the Arkport Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 6, Arkport, N.Y. 14807. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.



I am sorry to start the year off with sad news of a friend of the towing world.

Brian Crane

WM 971216