Robert N. Chambers, 91 years old formerly of Fishkill, New York, died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, May 1 at his home in Naples, Florida.

He was born in New York City on May 26, 1931 to (Leah) Lillian Schops and Nicholas Chambers. He was the second born of two children, whose sister (Vivian Lillian Chambers) died of pneumonia at the age of three, two months before he was born.

His mother passed away at the age of 39 in 1935, just before his fourth birthday. He was raised by his elderly grandparents (Dora and Jacob Schops) and elderly aunt (Ettie Schops), as well as various cousins, aunts and uncles, all of whom either spoke German or Yiddish as their primary language in the home. Dad's first language was German.

He was educated in the New York City public schools, graduating from Stuyvesant High School in 1948. While he began working at the age of 13 to help support his family, his first "formal job" began in 1947 as a messenger for the First National City Bank of New York (now Citibank).

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in December, 1949. Because of his fluency in German, he was stationed in Karlsruhe and then Pirmasens as a translator, Staff Sargent and Company Clerk and liaison between the 17th Signal Battalion and local German municipal officials during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged at the end of 1953.

He returned to First National City Bank as a full-time bank teller. While he never achieved a formal college degree, he attended various classes at night at Fordham Downtown School of Business, Pace College (now Pace University) and the American Institute of Banking.

In 1956, he became an Assistant National Bank Examiner under the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency, U.S. Treasury Department, 2nd Federal Reserve District. This role led him to Beacon, NY and the Matteawan National Bank (later renamed Farmers Matteawan Bank), one of the entities for which he had oversight. He fell in love with Beacon, and decided to leave the City and move there, taking a role as a Cashier for the Matteawan Bank in 1960.

It was while in Beacon where he met Earl T. Ketcham, Steven Blodgett and Harold Burton, all whom became personal and professional mentors. In 1966, he joined the staff at Fishkill Savings Bank. At that time, it was the smallest savings bank in the State of New York. After several mergers with other local savings banks, and over the course of the years of building his business acumen, he became Chairman, President & CEO of what ultimately became Mid-Hudson Savings Bank and First Inter-Bank Holding Company, with 15 branches in five counties and at the time, was one of the largest publicly traded banks in the Hudson Valley, New York.

He was a gentleman's banker, who made commitments on his word and with a handshake. He helped families with their first mortgages, arranged business loans that built communities, and found ways to make sure that the dreams of a college education were within reach for his customers.

Dad was active in the Hudson Valley Region in his volunteer work with numerous service, philanthropic and business associations. One such achievement came at a time in 1993, when the Hudson Valley was rocked by the loss of thousands of jobs at IBM in Poughkeepsie, East Fishkill and Kingston. With the late Paul Ganci (President and CEO of Central Hudson), and T. Jefferson Cunningham (President and CEO of Fishkill National Bank), he worked to develop a public-private partnership, raising both private capital and federal, state and county funding to stand up the External Marketing Council, which was organized to market the region and fill hundreds of thousands square feet of vacant commercial office space. Those efforts still exist today under the direction of the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation, where he at one time served as President of the Board. He was also President of the Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce, Dutchess County Area Fund (now Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley), Vassar Brothers Medical Center Hospital Board and Foundation Board, Grinnell Library, and was a founding member and Charter President of the Southern Dutchess Exchange Club.

His banking career extended into industry leading work as a Board member of the Federal Home Loan Bank as well as time as repeat terms as Chairman of the Community Bankers Association of New York State.

On a blind date in 1965, he met Mary Ellen Mulvey of Pleasant Valley, New York, whom he married in 1966—a day he described as "the happiest day of his life." Together, they could likely move mountains. Their philanthropy and activism in the community touched many lives. They were recognized as "Family of the Year" by Family Services in 1995, among other notable achievements.

She passed away on November 15, 2010 at the age of 70. They were blessed with nearly 45 years of marriage.

Beloved and respected by many, he enriched people's lives with a true sense of selflessness, incredible generosity, great humor and fun. He was a man of unwavering faith, and dedicated his rosaries every day to anyone who needed an extra prayer. He connected with people at the most genuine level. He was a collector of antiques (and in particular, clocks), and a lover of spumoni ice cream. He enjoyed his Alps Sweet Shop milk chocolate, basset hounds, and was also known to enjoy, on occasion, a nice glass of Mark West pinot noir.

Predeceased by both parents (including his father in 1969, with whom he had little contact) and his wife, Mary Ellen, Bob is survived by his two loving, dedicated daughters. Mary Beth Chambers (Michael Forbes) in Rochester, MN and her two children in Austin, TX: Evan Kean (Bayli Williams) and Olivia Kean. Last year, he was blessed with a first great-grandson (Brady Evan Kean). His youngest daughter, Ann Chambers Meagher, lives in Millbrook, NY with her son, Jack Mulvey Meagher. He is also survived by many wonderful friends, both in the Hudson Valley, New York and in the Tower Point/Arbor Trace Senior Living Community in Naples, Florida, where he spent the last 20+ years leading a very active and engaged life.

Arrangements have been made under the direction of the McHoul Funeral Home. A celebration of his life will take place at St. Columba Catholic Church, Route 82, Hopewell Junction on Saturday May 13 at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to either Grinnell Library, 2642 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 or Arbor Trace Foundation, 1000 Arbor Lake Drive, Naples, Florida 34110.
For online tributes, you can visit Bob's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.