Ralph Poole III

Ralph H Poole III

Ralph H Poole III of Geneva passed away peacefully on Monday December 29th 2025. Better known as Rob to his friends, who included every person he’s met, he was born May 8th 1946, in Manhattan, NY.

Rob graduated from The Millbrook School in Millbrook, NY in 1964 and Kenyon College in Gambier, OH in 1968. After college he volunteered for the US Army, was accepted to the Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, GA and achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He served a tour in Vietnam beginning in 1971.

After his service he returned first to Colorado - living as a ski bum and spending time with his sister Marten - followed by a canoe expedition to the Northwest Territories with his brother Alan. Eventually he returned home to Geneva to begin a life of farming where he owned and operated Bellwood Farm, known for the Finger Lakes best sweet corn. A true conservationist, he cared deeply for the preservation of the land and manorhouse that have been the cornerstone of his life. Engaged in civic society, he served on the Geneva town planning board - with many years as Chairman - for more than 20 years while helping found the Geneva Youth Hockey program. In later life, his extensive knowledge was called upon to give talks on the Town of Geneva’s agricultural and architectural past. He enthusiastically cheered on his children, grandchildren and the Cornell Big Red in hockey and lacrosse.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ralph H Poole Jr. and Kitty Wickes Poole, his sister Marten Ann Poole. He is survived by three sons: Ethan (Shannon) of Canandaigua, NY, Devin (Dawn) and Carson (Elyse) both of Chicago, IL and their mother Carolyn McAllister of Dresden, NY; Five granddaughters Aria and Lilliana Poole, Evelyn and Alice Poole and Mildred Agnello Poole; his sister Mary Forsyth Poole and brother Alan Forsyth Poole.

We will miss his deeply engaging, wide-ranging and interesting knowledge and life stories - most of which we believe to be true. His family will host a memorial service on Saturday, May 16th - details to follow - for those wishing to celebrate a life well lived. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you hold his memory close until we gather in the spring.