Dr. Robert K Ellsworth

Dr. Robert King Ellsworth passed away March 21, 2024, at home with his wife Nancy by his side. Robert was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a chemistry professor at SUNY Plattsburgh for many years prior to starting his own business, The Hook & Hackle Company. Robert loved his family, enjoyed fly fishing, hunting, target shooting and had a legendary sense of humor. Robert was born in Plattsburgh, NY on November 22, 1941, to Virginia and Francis Ellsworth. After graduating from Plattsburgh High School, Robert completed his bachelor’s and master’s degree from SUNY Plattsburgh. He later earned his PhD in biochemistry and biophysics at Iowa State University. Robert married fellow SUNY student Nancy Forgette at St. Peter’s Church in Plattsburgh, NY on August 24, 1963. At the time of his passing, Robert and Nancy were married for more than 60 years. After obtaining his master’s degree, Robert commenced upon a long career as an educator. From 1963 until 1966, he was a high school science teacher and an instructor at SUNY Plattsburgh. Robert found sharing his love of science with students so meaningful he decided to return to graduate school to further his education. Robert and Nancy moved to Ames, Iowa in 1966 where he attended Iowa State University. In 1968, after just two years in his graduate program, Robert earned his PhD in Biochemistry and Biophysics. After completing his PhD in 1968, Robert returned to SUNY Plattsburgh, this time as a Chemistry Professor. Undergraduate and graduate students alike appreciated the quality of instruction Robert provided both in the lecture hall and the chemistry laboratory. While he was known for his rigorous, challenging courses, Robert also became famous throughout the student body for telling jokes at the beginning of every class. His lecture hall became “standing room only” as students, whether they were enrolled in his course or not, flooded into the room to hear his jokes. Robert was a caring professor who remained life-long friends with some of his former students. Robert retired from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1984. During his tenure at SUNY Plattsburgh, Nancy encouraged Robert to take up a hobby so he would enjoy some leisure time away from the self-imposed stressors of his career. He took his wife’s suggestion and soon became an avid fly fisherman. Not one to remain idle, however, Robert naturally turned his new hobby into a business venture. Nancy quickly vowed to never encourage her husband to find a new hobby again. In 1975, Robert and Nancy co-founded mail order fly fishing supply business The Hook & Hackle Co. Despite having no formal background or training in business, Robert immersed himself in his new career and learned everything he could about starting and running a successful business. In the early days, the Hook & Hackle Co. inventory covered the family ping pong table in the basement. Over time, the business grew and eventually occupied a large warehouse in Plattsburgh. When Robert took up target shooting, he predictably added hunting and shooting supplies to the items sold through the Hook & Hackle Co. In 2005, Nancy finally convinced Robert it was time to sell the business so they could enjoy life as retirees. Above all else, Robert was devoted to his wife, children, and granddaughters. He was a playful, attentive father who read his daughters bedtime stories and knew exactly which toys, games and music albums they would like as gifts. When Robert took his daughters shopping, he was easily suckered into buying extra toys. Lisa and Tonia’s friends came to anticipate and appreciate his playful pranks. When Robert’s granddaughters were born, he doted on and played with them just as he had with his daughters. Because his granddaughters lived many miles away, Robert spent countless hours on the phone with them while simultaneously playing silly on-line computer games. In his spare time, Robert read books of many genres but he particularly enjoyed legal thrillers and historic novels. He loved watching comedies and could quote pretty much every line from any Mel Brooks movie. Robert set an example for all by being unapologetically himself. Dr. Ellsworth was predeceased by his parents Francis and Virginia Ellsworth, sister Carol Kesler, brother-in-law Keith Kesler, and sister-in-law Nancy (Carman) Forgette, He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Forgette) Ellsworth, daughters Lisa (Wayne) Segear and Tonia (Stephen) Smith, brothers William (Maryanne) Ellsworth, Barton (Linda) Ellsworth, brother-in-law George Forgette, granddaughters Sydney Segear, Riley (Coleman) Schleiss, and Peyton Smith, and nephews Brian Ellsworth, David (Fabiany) Ellsworth, Chris (Deb, sons Ethan and Jared) Kesler, and Jason (Stefanie, children Zachary and Olivia) Kesler. Thank you to all of the family members and neighbors who provided help and support during our time of need. At Robert’s request there will be no calling hours or services. Please honor his life by spending time with loved ones, learning something new, enjoying hobbies, watching or reading something funny, listening to music, and enjoying the beauty of the North Country.