George Eighmy

Rhinebeck- George Lawrence Eighmy, 88, a lifetime resident of Red Hook and Rhinebeck, passed away on January 24, 2025. Below is his obituary that he wrote in real time in the hope that those who read it will find interesting.

I entered eternal rest on January 24, 2025, surrounded by my loving family. I was born on March 26, 1936, in Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, NY, the only child of George Irving Eighmy and Lulu Meta Buckner.

A bit of family history. I’m a direct descendant of Nicolaus Emigh (original spelling) who arrived in this country in 1709 with a group of Palatine Germans. They were the first settlers in the area. Nicolaus located on a large tract of land in Clove Valley, Dutchess County. He built a stone house on that land, which still stands today. Some of the Eighmys’ moved to Rhinebeck in the early 1800’s and settled near the intersection of Route 308 and Salisbury Turnpike. That area is known as Eighmyville. My great-great grandfather moved from there in the 1850s’ to a home on Old Rocky City Road. That is where I was raised.

I graduated from Red Hook Central School, immediately enlisted in the United States Army, spending 30 months in Hanau, Germany with a combat engineer group reaching the Rank of E5. Upon completing my military obligation, I entered Farmingdale State College and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Technology. I then began a career with IBM. First as a tool maker and then as a Manufacturing Engineer.

In 1960, I met the love of my life, Mary Dee Peloch, from Schuylerville, NY. At the time she was attending college in Albany and was a roommate with a friend of mine from Rhinebeck who introduced us. We were married on April 29, 1962. Mary Dee survives in Rhinebeck along with our two sons, Kyle Lawrence Eighmy (Chrissy) and Douglas Leigh Eighmy; our seven grandchildren, Tyler, Ryan, Lillian, Michael, Madison, Macilyn, and Maribelle; as well as many honorary family members who were very special to my life that include Amanda Owens, Alex Kemnitzer, and Emily and James Erlanger.  I was predeceased by my parents.

I worked for IBM for 34 years, retiring in 1993. After my retirement we wintered in Sarasota, Florida for 23 years. We enjoyed cruising to the Caribbean and Bermuda. We have also enjoyed some cross-country trips, and we loved traveling the Northeast, especially a week every year in Maine.

I am an outdoors person. I love hunting, fishing, canoeing, especially in the Adirondacks. I am a Life Member and Past President of the Neighbors Gun Club, a Life Member and Past President of the Rhinebeck Fire Department and am also a member of the American Legion Montgomery Post #429 in Rhinebeck and a Life Member of Memorial Lutheran Church in Rock City.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Dapson-Chestney Funeral Home, 51 W. Market St., Rhinebeck NY. Calling hours are 4-7pm on Thursday January 30 with the Rhinebeck Fire Department services beginning at 6 PM.

Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on January 31 at 11 am. There will be Military and Legion Services. Burial will take place at a later date.

With the passing of Mary Dee, our ashes will be entombed together in our plot at the Rhinebeck Cemetery on Mill Road in Rhinebeck.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Memorial Lutheran Church, 1232 Rt 308, Rhinebeck, NY 12572 or the Rhinebeck Fire Department, 76 E. Market St, Rhinebeck, NY 12572.

A special thank you to the staff of Northern Dutchess Hospital, particularly Max, for their exceptional attention and care.

In closing, let me say what a great life it has been. What made it so special was being accompanied on this journey with Mary Dee. Love you dear. To you Mary Dee, my family and all my friends, “auf Wiedersehen”. God Bless you all and God Bless America.

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