Obituary of Robert Young Naylor

Robert Young Naylor, 89, of Schenectady, was united in heaven with his wife, Arlene, and daughter, Debbie, shortly before midnight on December 21, 2020. Robert was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts to the late Alice Elliott Naylor and William Young Naylor. He is survived by his son, Steven Young Naylor, and daughter, Rebecca Naylor-Tuckey; grandchildren, Kristen Kaufmann Long, Ryan Kaufmann, and Benjamin Kaufmann; four great grandchildren; brother, Richard Naylor; and many nieces and nephews. On May 1, 1952, he married the love of his life, Arlene Chamberlain, on a live broadcast of the CBS television show, “Bride and Groom.” In 2002, for their 50th anniversary, Bob and Arlene renewed their vows live on CBS’s “The Morning Show.” They shared their deep love with one another until Arlene’s home going in 2009. Bob and his family moved to Schenectady in 1965, where he was employed by General Electric, first as an engineer, and later as a member of the international sales team for the Gas Turbine Division. Bob became a member of the 1st Presbyterian Church and immediately became involved in ministry. He joined the choir the first day he walked into the church, and later served on the operations board, was a deacon, lead the junior high school youth program, and spent countless hours in nursing home outreach and various other ministries of the church. He was a dedicated ambassador for his Lord and Savior. Bob was also a member and officer of The Gideons International, distributing Bibles. He met nearly every week at City Hall to pray for the people of Schenectady. He was a routine volunteer with Youth for Christ and the City Mission. After retirement, Bob was certified as a Master Gardener and dedicated time to local beautification projects in the city, as well as teaching gardening to disadvantaged youth. In the last decade, he could be found at the local market six days a week, drinking coffee and making friends with anyone who needed a friend. He had a great love for adventure, which lead him to canoe Maine’s boundary waters and also served as one of the Massachusetts Civil Defense’s first rescue and recovery scuba divers in the early 1950s. He designed and built ice-sailing crafts, was an avid swimmer, hiker, skier, skater, boogie boarder, and snowshoe enthusiast. Bob loved music and ice cream. He was an inventive problem-solver, a skilled house builder, and clever handyman who could make or repair nearly anything. He valued hard work, discipline, and frugality, not to amass wealth for himself but to share with those less fortunate. Bob will be remembered as an outspoken, gregarious, thoughtful, and compassionate friend and neighbor who looked for every opportunity to reach out to those around him. In the midst of all his interests and talents, his greatest passion was to share this message: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whosoever believes in Jesus will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 His family invite all his friends, loved ones, and anyone looking for hope to attend a memorial service at 1st Presbyterian Church at 209 Union Street in Schenectady on January 23,2021 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to City Mission of Schenectady, PO Box 760, Schenectady NY 12301.