Robert C (Drose) Drozdowski

Robert C. Drozdowski (Drose), of Rotterdam passed away on Friday May 11, 2018 at Ellis Hospital with his wife at his side. He was born in Albany, NY on October 23, 1930. Robert's parents were Adam and Frances (Suprenant) Drozdowski, both passed away in 1982. He was a 1950 graduate of Mont Pleasant High School as Bobby Drose, where he was prominent in football. Robert 's military service was with the Air Force Air police stationed in Washington State from 1950-1954. In his youth, he worked for Olympic and Goldstock's sporting goods stores. He became a certified Scuba instructor and taught at the YMCA from 1960-1962 and was a member of the first SCUBA club called Aqu-atics. He was a past president of the OC Ski Club of Albany. Robert held a private pilot's license and flew with the original Condair Flyers Club in Schenectady. He was retired from Local #106 Operating Engineers in 1992, having worked on the Empire State Plaza, Northway Projects and West Milton on nuclear reactors. Robert spent a year (1972), in Saudi Arabia for Foster Wheeler. In his later years, he owned and operated the Friendly Tavern on Guilderland Avenue in Rotterdam from 1980-1998. He was a self-taught man and believed in learning and developing himself and to always keep busy by reading and learning. On October 2, 1965, he married Irene Bogatka who survives him. Robert and his wife spent winters in Harbor Cove mobile home park in North Port, Florida for the past 25 years at "Bob's Place". He enjoyed fishing and boating. From a previous marriage he is survived by his daughter Robin ray (Scott) who lives in Spokane, WA. A Visitation will be held Thursday May 17, 2018 from 11AM-12PM at the Bond Funeral Home 1614 Guilderland Avenue Schenectady. Followed by a graveside service at 12:30PM at Memory's Garden in Colonie. The family requests that no flowers be sent.