Robert John Briggs

Robert was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1934, at Bay Shore Hospital to Mildred Rauh Briggs and William Briggs.  He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Barbara Ann Freal Briggs, three sons, Stephen Briggs, South Carolina, Gregory Briggs, Red Hook, NY, and David Briggs and Jacqueline, Hyde Park, NY, and Laura Briggs, NY, grandchildren, Ronald Briggs, Millbrook, NY and Gregory Briggs, Jr., Poughkeepsie, NY.  Bob is also survived by his brother William Briggs and his wife Donna in Lake Swannanoa, NJ, and many nieces and nephews. 

At age 13 the Briggs Family moved from Brooklyn, NY, to New Jersey.  Bob’s father expected him to keep the wood cut and stacked and the fireplace filled to heat the log cabin in which they lived. 

At an early age, Bob worked in the construction field.  Using this talent, he built his father and mother’s home in Fayson Lakes, NJ.  After this, he also built his first home in New Jersey. 

Bob attended Eastern Nazarene College and New York University. Bob worked at Thiokol as an Engineer on the Jet Propulsion System for the Surveyor Spacecraft which was the very first Surveyor to land on the Moon’s surface.

 His career at IBM as an Engineer began in 1968 and he subsequently met Barbara. They married shortly thereafter and raised the four children.  Bob’s energy level knew no limits.  He was an avid bicyclist who pedaled with the MHBC and his sons from Millerton, NY, to Burlington, VT, in one day.  Bob was also a champion runner who completed the Boston Marathon several times in some of the races in which Bill Rogers was the Winner.  He also completed the Marine Corps Marathon with his wife and the New York City Marathon several years in a row. 

After working at IBM for more than 25 years, he trained to sell Prudential Insurance, following in his father Bill’s footsteps.  Bob’s father worked for Metropolitan.  One day in New York City Bob was accompanying Bill on his rounds.  One of his clients was Katherine Hepburn.  When she saw Bob waiting outside for his father, she asked Mr. Briggs who that young man was.  She found this cute man adorable.  He was introduced to Katherine Hepburn.

Due to his father’s many contacts in New York City and Bob’s great talent as a tenor in All-State Choirs, he was offered the opportunity to sing on Broadway.

Bob’s love of The Bible and Christian beliefs was evident in all of his life’s endeavors.  He attended bible classes as an adult through many years of his life.  His hope and beliefs will be greatly missed.