MALONE — Robert H. Empsall, 99, Malone, died Friday at Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Potsdam.

Mr. Empsall joined his father's business, Empsall's Department Store in Malone, after spending a summer in Europe following college and later took over the business from his father, selling it in 1969.

He was born May 18, 1908, in Watertown, son of William A. and Clara Crowell Empsall. His father was employed in the family department store in Watertown. In 1915 the family moved to Malone and his father established his own business.

Mr. Empsall attended the former Flanders School, graduated from Franklin Academy in 1926 and continued his education at Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, and Hamilton College, Clinton.

He joined the Army Air Forces during World War II and was stationed at Romulus Air Base in Michigan, where he was involved with planning the shipment of supplies in support of the invasion of North Africa.

He married Margaret Santway on July 9, 1941, at First Presbyterian Church in Watertown. She died Sept. 11, 1967.

He was a longtime boating enthusiast, owned several cabin cruisers and sailboats and enjoyed cruising the St. Lawrence River and Lake Champlain. In 1978 he fulfilled a lifelong dream of sailing his boat to Florida from Northern New York.

He was active in the community and served as senior warden and vestry member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. He was a member and past president of the Malone Rotary Club and a member of the Malone School board of education, Franklin Academy board of trustees, Marine Midland Bank board, Malone Elks Lodge, American Legion Post 219 and Franklin County Historical Society.

In later years he developed an interest in genealogy and became a member of the Sons of the American Revolution after tracing his lineage back to a Revolutionary War soldier.

Surviving are two sons and their wives, John S. and Glenda, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and William A. and Janet, Merrill, two grandsons and a granddaughter.

A brother, Harlon, died in 1919.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mark's Episcopal Church.

Burial will be in Morningside Cemetery.

Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Spaulding Funeral Home.

Donations may be made to St. Mark's Church or a charity of one's choice.