Robert N. Nagel

Robert “Bob” Nicholas Nagel, 92, departed this life on February 22, 2023, in ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Clifton Park, NY.  Born February 5, 1931, the son of Ferdinand and Ruth (Traylor) Nagel, in Cincinnati, OH, he grew up with his sister, Margaret (Heck), in West Seneca, NY, when the area was reverting to the wild after a century of farming. He discovered the joy of wandering the fields and the nearby gorge of Cazenovia Creek—the beginning of a lifelong love of the outdoors. 

In the Fall of 1948, Bob was accepted at the University of Cincinnati, College of Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering.  His cooperative work was with NCR Corporation in Dayton, OH.  He was graduated from the College of Engineering in 1953, with a degree in Chemical Engineering.  Later, he earned an MBA from Syracuse University.

While a student at UC, he met Janet Mills who was a student at the UC College of Nursing.  They were married in 1953.  After serving as an officer in the US Army at White Sands, NM, he brought his family to Kettering, OH, to resume his career with NCR.  The family moved to Lansing in 1973, when he was transferred by NCR from Dayton, to their Ithaca facility.  A materials engineer, he spent most of his career working with plastics.  He was named a Plastics Pioneer in 1987.  After leaving NCR, Bob was part of AC Technology/C-Mold to help take plastic molding design into the computer age.   Retiring in 2003, he fine-tuned his wood working and carving skills to restore furniture, and sell his delightful carvings at Handwork Cooperative Craft Store.

As a boy, Bob attained the rank of Eagle Scout.  As an adult, he served as an Assistant Scoutmaster and took many canoe trips as “Adirondack Bob” with his grandson’s troop from Virginia.  Bob introduced Jan to traveling and camping, first in tents with the family; later in travel trailers, crossing the country several times.  His job often took him overseas, with Jan at his side.

Active in the community and mission of Lansing United Methodist Church for almost 50 years, he used his wood working and people skills to support the congregation.

After the death of his beloved wife of 68 years, he moved to Peregrine Senior Living - Clifton Park, NY, to be closer to his daughter. There, he endeared everyone with his humor and charm.

Bob is survived by his children: Karen Sipher (Donald) and James Nagel (Christine); niece: Barbara (Heck) James; five grandchildren: Catherine Sipher, John Sipher (Hitomi), Elizabeth Nagel Caudill (Blake), Adam Nagel, and Christopher Nagel; and seven great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the staff of Peregrine Senior Living for their love and care of Bob, and their support to the family.

A graveside service will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery, Ridge Road, Lansing, at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Bob’s memory to the Lansing United Methodist Church Building Fund, 32 Brickyard Road, Lansing, NY 14882, or online at https://lansingunited.org/give/.