Robert Richter, Jr.

After a long and fruitful 95 years, we mark the passing of Robert (Bob) C. Richter, Jr. He was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, guidance counselor and small business proprietor worthy of the highest distinctions. 

Born at home on November 14,1928 in Seaford, LI, NY to Pauline Duerr Richter and Robert C. Richter, Sr., he spent his childhood and teen years in this suburban community. After graduating from Buffalo State with a degree in education, he served in the Army during the Korean War. Following discharge, Bob returned to Seaford where he began teaching industrial arts in the local public school district. There, he met Theresa Cull who was a school nurse teacher. They married in 1958 and later welcomed two girls, Kathy and Margaret into their lives. Bob continued his education and received master’s degrees in both teaching and guidance, moving from the classroom to the counseling office. 

Following the death of his mother in 1969, Bob had the opportunity to manage and operate the family business, Winding Brook Acres, a seasonal resort on the Hudson River in Esopus, NY. He moved his family to Esopus in 1970 and began transforming a very small resort property into a compound with 10 rental homes that were available throughout the year. At the same time, he also took a job at Miller Junior High School in the Kingston School District. Upon retiring from the school district, Bob devoted himself to his business and community, becoming active in the Esopus Businessmen’s Association and serving on the Esopus Town Council. He continued operating the property until 2014, when Scenic Hudson took over management and began its conversion into what is now known as the Black Creek Preserve, a spectacular park on the Hudson River open to the public. 

After Theresa’s passing in 2001, Bob was lucky enough to meet another fine lady through some mutual friends. Marilyn D’Allura became his wife in 2007. They spent 17 happy years together enjoying each other’s company, building friendships and treasuring the moment, first in Highland, NY and later at Woodland Pond in New Paltz, NY. 

Bob is survived by his wife Marilyn, his daughters Kathy Weitze (Peter), Esopus, NY and Margaret Spalding (Jack), Ipswich, MA; three grandchildren Robert Weitze (Patti), Catskill, NY, Erica Weitze, Esopus, NY and Rudy Weitze, Portland, OR, and great-grandchildren, Henry and Oliver Weitze, Catskill, NY. 

His was truly a life well lived, with blessings from above and family and friends that loved him. 

Family and friends may visit on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, from 4 pm – 7 pm at the Keyser Funeral Home, 216 Broadway, Port Ewen, NY. A service will be held at the funeral home at 10 am on Thursday, July 25, 2024, with burial following at Montrepose Cemetery, Kingston, NY.

For those who wish, contributions in Bob’s memory may be made to the Ulster County SPCA at www.UCSPCA.org or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.T2T.org. 

Esopus American Legion Post officers and members will be gathering at 6:30pm at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.