Saratoga Springs - Rev. Royal B. Fishbeck, Jr., 84, of Lawrence Street died Sunday afternoon, March 22, 2009 at Saratoga Springs Hospital.
Royal was born in Rochester, NY to the Rev. Royal B. Fishbeck, Sr. and LeNita Greene Fishbeck.
He married Roberta Blakeman of Nicholasville, KY in September 1948. Royal graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School (Schenectady, NY) in 1942; obtained his bachelor's degree from Asbury College, Wilmore, KY in 1950; and received his Master of Divinity degree from Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, NJ in 1953. He is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Program for Senior Executives in Religious Management at The Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA in 1985.
During World War II he served with the 89th Infantry Division as a combat medic in the European Theatre of Operations from 1943 to 1946.
He served as Pastor of the following New York United Methodist Churches in the Troy Conference: Eagle Mills UMC and Melrose UMC, from 1953 to 1958; Forrest Avenue UMC, Amsterdam from 1958 to 1962; Community UMC, Slingerlands from 1962 to 1967; and Memorial UMC in Troy from 1967 to 1974. Royal served as the Executive Director of the Troy Conference Council on Ministries from 1974 to 1981. He served as the Associate General Secretary of the General Council on Ministries of the United Methodist Church in Dayton, OH from 1981 to 1992. Following his retirement in 1992, he and Roberta moved to South Glens Falls, NY, living there from 1992 to 2006. They moved to Woodlawn Commons, a part of the Wesley Community, in 2006.
Royal was the Chairperson for the Conference Board of Missions from 1954 to 1962. He served as the Chairperson for the Conference Committee for Church Extension from 1962 to 1966. Royal served as the Chairperson for the Saratoga Retirement Center Building and Long-Range Planning Committee from 1960 to 1973. He also served as Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Saratoga Retirement Center from 1964 to 1973. He was a member of the Investment Committee for the Conference Board of Trustees from 1968 to 1974. Royal was an elected delegate to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1972, 1976 and 1980.
His many civic contributions included Chairperson for the Montgomery County State Charities - Aid for Dependent Children and Foster Care Homes from 1960 to 1962. He was the Chairperson for the Citizens Advisory Committee to the Bethlehem Central School - Board of Education from 1964 to 1966. He was an organizing member of PEP (People Effecting Progress) and TRIP (Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program) for inner city development and neighborhood organization in Troy, NY from 1968 to 1973. He was Chairperson for the Troy United Urban Ministry Task Force on Police and Community Relations during 1970 and 1971. Royal chaired the Rensselaer County Council on Alcoholism from 1971 to 1973. He was on the Board of Directors for the Rensselaer County Literacy Volunteers from 1970 to 1973. He was a United Methodist Representative to the State Governing Board for the New York State IMPACT Network from 1978 to 1981. While living in South Glens Falls, he was a member of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Roberta; a son and daughter-in-law Ronald and Teresa Fishbeck of Madison, VA; a daughter and son-in-law Ruth Ann Fishbeck and Reginald Brothers of Norwood, NY; and five grandchildren; Jonathan Fishbeck, Nicole Fishbeck, Ashton Short, Hannah Short and Samantha Short. In addition to his parents, Royal was predeceased by a sister, Janet Eckerson.
There will be a celebration of Royal's life on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 2 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, 175 Fifth Avenue, Saratoga Springs with a reception to follow at the church. Memorial gifts in Royal's name may be made to the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church for use in the Church's Mission programs. There will be a private interment at the Saratoga National Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of Saratoga Springs.