Messerich, Robert George
Hyde Park – Robert George Messerich entered into rest with the Lord on February 27, 2010. He was 88 years old.
Born October 27, 1921 in Beacon, he was the son Anthony and Regina Santsaver Messerich. Bob attended the Little Red School House in Beacon and graduated from Wappingers Falls High School. Bob attended Syracuse University.
In 1946 Bob married Esther Van Burhan who predeceased him in 1958. In 1968 Bob married Alice Hoose who survives at home.
He will be missed by his wife, Alice; a sister Dorothy Pardee of Wappingers Falls; a brother Harold Messerich also of Wappingers Falls. He was predeceased by a brother Donald Messerich. His life, times and dedication to family will live on in his children, Robert Messerich, and his wife Terri of Hyde Park; Sandra Humbert, and her husband David of Craryville; Barbara Mahnu, and her husband Richard Poudrier of Salem, OR; James Messerich of Arvada, CO; Jill Novak of Hyde Park; and Bonnie Gariepy, and her husband Richard of Portland, Or; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren.
During WWII, Bob served with the US Army in Europe in 1944 and 1945. He saw service as a forward artillery observer in the 78th Division, and fought in the Monschau area near Aachen in Germany, as well as the Bridge at Remagen on the Rhine. He then joined the Army Reserves and retired as a Command Sergeant Major after serving for 40 years. He was later a co-chairman on the retiree counsel at West Point.
As a local poultry farmer for over 60 years of Knoll Krest Farm, he is most remembered. For over 70 years he served as a member and lay reader at Trinity Church, Zion and the Church of the Messiah, Rhinebeck. He also served on the Town of Clinton Water and Soil Conservancy.
“ Pop was a kind and gentle soul who enjoyed spending time in his vegetable garden and watching his much loved Yankees! He will be greatly missed by all of us who loved him dearly.”
Please join with us in memory of this remarkable husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and friend.
Calling hours are Friday 4 to 8 PM at the Dapson-Chestney Funeral Home,
51 W. Market St., Rhinebeck. Funeral services are Saturday, 10 AM, at the Church of the Messiah, Rhinebeck. Entombment with military honors will be in the Columbarium at the Church of the Messiah; a reception will follow in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Assoc., P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220; The American Parkinson Disease Assoc., 135 Parkinson Ave. Staten Island, NY 10305 www.apdaparkinson.org or to a fund to be established for a project in memory of Bob at the Church of the Messiah, P.O. Box 248, Rhinebeck, NY 12572.
