Robert P. Van DeusenBaltimore, MDRobert P. Van Deusen, most recently of Baltimore, Md., died on September 26, 2016, at the Gilchrist Hospice Care Center there. He was 91. Bob was born on August 11, 1925, in Olean, N.Y., the son of Charles and Florence (Schue) Van Deusen and younger brother to Charles "Chuck" Van Deusen. He graduated from Olean High School in 1943. Bob began his career in Olean as a draftsman, but decided early on that his true calling was to be a teacher. He attended what was then the Buffalo State Teacher's College, earning a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Arts. There, while they were both singing in the school choir, he met Joyce Ewing, another aspiring school teacher. They were married on August 19, 1950. Bob continued his education by earning a M.A. in School Administration from the University of Rochester. He later completed all course work for a Doctorate in Education at New York University.Bob first taught in the Rochester schools, but was drafted into the Army in 1954 and served two years during the Korean conflict. He was stationed in Tokyo as a clerk typist. Joyce joined him there for one year where she taught at a Japanese-American school. They returned to Western New York in 1956, where Bob taught in LeRoy. The couple remained there only briefly, as Bob soon took a job teaching elementary school industrial arts and serving as an assistant principal with Great Neck public schools on Long Island.In 1967, the couple returned to Western New York when Bob accepted the position of principal at the Albion Primary School. They brought with them a son, Darrell, who was born in 1960. Bob and Joyce spent the next 25 years in Albion, where they were active community leaders, members of the First United Methodist Church and scout leaders in Pack and Troop 48. When Bob retired as principal in 1985, the Primary School's Library and Media Center was named in his honor.In 1992, Bob and Joyce moved to Hanover, Pa. to be closer to their grandchildren, Andrew (Andy) and Margaret (Meg) VanDeusen, as well as Darrell and his wife Carrie Emerson, whom they considered a "full-fledged" daughter. They were devoted to and active participants in their grandchildren's lives, regularly attending school, church, sport and scout activities with unabashed and unconditional love. The license plate on the front of their car read "If we knew how much fun grandchildren were, we would have had them first." Bob remained in Hanover following Joyce's death in 2008. Earlier this year, after 24 years in Hanover, Bob moved to Baltimore. This move enabled him to spend more time with Darrell and Carrie, and to be around for the occasional visits back to Baltimore by Andy and Meg. Bob continued living independently until just a couple weeks before his death, enjoying exercise classes at a local senior center, experiencing new Baltimore restaurants, and cheering on his adopted Baltimore Orioles and Ravens. He still held a place in his heart for the Buffalo Bills, however, often wearing a Bills ball cap to a Ravens game regardless of who the Ravens were playing.In addition to his immediate family, Bob is survived by a brother-in-law, Keith Ewing and his wife Barbara of Houston, Texas; three nieces; and one nephew. His brother Chuck and a niece, Cheryl Van Deusen Stetz, predeceased him.In 1983, Albion Primary School staff, friends and associates established the Robert P. Van Deusen Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded each year to a deserving Albion High School graduate who has shown an interest in working with young children; who has been active in the scouting program; and whose career goals involve human service (including teaching or nursing). Bob's wish was that this scholarship be permanently funded and the amount increased. Therefore, memorial contributions may be made to the Robert P. Van Deusen Scholarship Fund, to be established by the Albion High School Alumni Foundation, P.O. Box 345, Albion, NY 14411. If that's not your thing, but you would like to donate something in his honor, find someone or something that involves helping young people grow in a positive way and help them out. Or, just give someone a hug. And mean it.A memorial service celebrating his life will occur at a later date in Baltimore.