Obituary of Robert Rexford Halpen

GOUVERNEUR- Robert Rexford Halpen, age 75, of Gouverneur, passed away on Friday, November 1, 2013 at E.J. Noble Hospital in Gouverneur. Calling hours will be on Monday, November 4th from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 p.m. at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur. His funeral service will be on Tuesday, November 5th at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Beth Benham officiating. Condolences may be made online to www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Robert was born on December 21, 1937 in Wilkes-Barre, PA to William and Lorena (Truax) Halpen. He graduated from Ogdensburg Free Academy in 1958. After high school, Robert served in the United States Army. Robert married Arlene J. Scott on June 16, 2001. He was previously married to Jean L. Jesmer. He worked with his son, James and was part owner of the Halpen Hand Construction in Gouverneur. Previously he had worked for ACCO in Ogdensburg then moved to Syracuse and worked as a foreman for McMillian Book Company. He was a member of the Owls Club in Oneida. Robert is survived by his wife, Arlene of Gouverneur; three sons, Robert and Vicki of Oneida, Greg of New York City and James and Heather of Gouverneur; two daughters, Wendy and James Chamberlain of Oneida and Pamela and Mike Kelley of Bellington, West Virginia; three brothers, James and Elizabeth of Ogdensburg, William and Doris of West Palm Beach, FL and Edward of Vietnam; a sister, Rosemary Perkins of Rochester; seven grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren; Arlene's' children, Wayne and Debie Scott of Gouverneur and David and Kendra Scott of Liberty, KY; and several nieces and nephews. Robert is predeceased by a daughter, Jodi Halpen; a granddaughter, Angela Rose Scott and a sister, Betty McGee.