Dr. Robert Rugen, 93, chiropractor, tennis champ
E. CHATHAM—On the morning of December 27, Dr. Robert C. Rugen, passed away of natural causes at 93 years of age.
Born March 8, 1918 in Glenwood, he was the son of to Herman H. and Henrietta B. (Schlobohm) Rugen.
He attended PS136 and graduated from Jamaica High School in 1936. After studying law at St. John’s University for two years he had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Amel Anderson, a pioneer in chiropractic, who inspired him to become a healer instead of a litigator. He married high school classmate, Berenice Mary Casson in 1941 and graduated in a class of 17 from Logan Basic College of Chiropractic in 1943. Dr. Rugen then spent two and a half years in the U.S. Navy stationed in San Francisco and on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hornet, where he achieved the rank of pharmacist mate second class.
In 1945, he returned from the Navy to Stony Brook and opened his first practice in Queen’s Village and soon after another office in Stony Brook. Later, he moved the Queens Village office to West 42nd Street, Manhattan, where he practiced until the early 1960s when the Stony Brook practice became his focus. He helped craft the legislation in 1964 that lead to the lawful practice of chiropractic in New York State and proudly held license number 305.
Living near and working in New York City in his early years, Dr. Rugen had the chance to cross paths and meet some of the notables of the 20th Century including: Red Skelton, Buddy Ebsen, Groucho Marx, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, financial giant E.A. Pierce, Nelson Rockefeller and Erle Painter, chiropractor and trainer for the NY Yankees. He also enjoyed recounting his numerous house calls to a wealthy family in pre-Castro Cuba and talking about his friendship with organic gardening pioneer, J. I. Rodale.
Life outside the office on Long Island was rich with days spent sailing on his beloved cat boat, horseback riding and, of course, tennis. Along the way, he managed to own and operate the Station House Restaurant for six years, served on the Stony Brook Community Fund and briefly owned a horse named Snowman that would later become the American Horse Shows Association’s Horse of the Year in 1958 and 59.
In 1970, “Bob and Bern” moved to East Chatham, (Town of Canaan) where he opened what would be his final office location. He continued to see patients there until October of 2008 and retired at the age of 90.
Dr. Rugen won the office of Canaan Town Justice, when he campaigned on horseback during the fuel crisis, and then served for eight years from 1976 to 1984. He was also a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Stony Brook, a founding member of the Northern Columbia County Rotary Club and a life member of the East Chatham Fire Company.
In addition to his love of chiropractic, he shared a love of tennis with his wife with whom he became a gold medalist at the NYS Senior Games in mixed doubles three times in the 1980s. Dr. Rugen also won gold and silver several times in the Maine State Senior Games. His final victory was being the over 80 singles champion in 1988. In 1992, Dr. Rugen, who was 74 at the time, was a member of the Venice, FL City Men’s 60 and over tennis team that won a national title.
He was predeceased by his wife, Berenice with whom he enjoyed 61 years of marriage, and his brother, Herman. He and his wife raised four children who all survive them: Dr. Richard C. Rugen of Stony Brook, Mrs. Althea C. Liscombe (Arnold) of Moodus, CT, Dr. Robert K. Rugen (Deborah) of East Chatham and Dr. Glenn E. Rugen (Lisa) of Chatham, as well as, 12 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and companion, Donna Reiley.
He will be missed by countless Columbia County patients and will be remembered by his family and friends as a man who had a healing touch and who loved his chosen profession.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Rugen’s memory may be made to Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414 or the East Chatham Fire Company, 14 Frisbee Street, East Chatham 12060. Funeral arrangements will be private. Arrangements are with the Wenk Funeral Home, Chatham. Online condolences may be directed to www.wenkfuneralhome.com.
Alexis Bervy, Jr., 90, dairy farmer, building inspector
VALATIE—Alexis Bervy, Jr., 90, a longtime resident of East Chatham, died Sunday, January 1 at Barnwell Nursing Home.
Born October 7, 1921 in Nantucket, MA, he was the son of the late Alexis and Dunia (Nazarenko) Bervy, Sr.
He graduated from Chatham High School. He went to work on the family’s dairy farm, which he and his family took over and named Sunnyside Farm. He retired in 1988.
Mr. Bervy served as building inspector for the Town of Canaan. For many years, he delivered parts for Chatham Auto Parts. Mr. Bervy was a life member of the Canaan Conservation Club and life member of the East Chatham Fire Department. He was a devoted family man and an avid fan of all sports.
He is survived by: three daughters, Annette Demitraszek of Ravena, Dona Bervy and husband Richard Knott of East Chatham, Sonya Zingo and husband Robert of Rochester; two sons, Alexis Bervy, III and wife Patty of East Chatham, Nicholas and wife Lori of East Chatham; brother, Serge Bervy, Sr. of Austerlitz; sister, Eugenia Walter of Tampa, FL; nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Mr. Bervy was predeceased by his wife, Lillian and brother, Maxim Bervy. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 7, 10 a.m. from the Christ Our Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Chatham.
Interment will be in the Cemetery of The Evergreens in New Lebanon. Calling hours will be Friday evening, January 6, 4 to 7 p.m. from the Wenk Funeral Home, Chatham.
Memorials may be made to the Canaan Volunteer Fire Company, Canaan 12029 or the East Chatham Fire Department, East Chatham 12060. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Barnwell Nursing Home. For on-line condolences visit wenkfuneralhome.com.
L. David Ernst, 70, truck driver, rod and gun club past president
ALBANY—L. David Ernst, 70, of Sebastian FL and Kinderhook Lake died Friday, December 30, 2011 at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn.
Born in Pittsfield, MA, November 30, 1941, he was the son of the late Lyndon H. and Annabelle (Mayer) Ford.
Mr. Ernst was a retired truck driver for Bonded Concrete in West Sand Lake. He was past president of the Tri-Village Rod & Gun Club, the Kinderhook Lake Improvement Association and the Kinderhook Lake Corporation. He was also a past president of Right Track Investment Club and a member of the East Coast Riders.
He is survived by his wife, Diana (Yates) Ernst; four children, Ronald D. Ernst of Constableville, Gregory J. Ernst (Tanya) of Catskill, Brian D.
Ernst (Bridgett) and Vaughn Ernst, both of Kinderhook Lake; two sisters, Deborah Giftos and Michelle Ernst; three brothers, Kevin, Kenneth and Christian Ernst; several grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a brother, Jeffrey Ernst and a sister, Linda Coons.
Funeral services and burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Contributions may be made to the Tri-Village Rod & Gun Club or the KLlA, 45 East Shore Drive, Valatie 12184. Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Valatie.
Donald Papineau, 70, investment advisor
HUDSON—Donald E. Papineau, 70, of Taconic Shores, Copake and a former longtime resident of Poughkeepsie, passed away suddenly Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
He was born December 8, 1941 in Poughkeepsie to the late Oswald and Florence (Hepworth) Papineau.
He was a graduate of Poughkeepsie High School and Dutchess Community College.
Mr. Papineau proudly served his country with the United States Army from 1960 to 1963. He was a member of American Legion Post #184 in Hudson and of its American Legion Riders.
Mr. Papineau was employed for more than 30 years as a registered investment advisor representative of the National Planning Corporation of America with offices in Red Hook. He was also an entrepreneur having previously owned and operated Dairy Queen franchises in the Poughkeepsie area.
He had a great love of life, laughter and family and was an extremely proud husband, father and grandfather. He was an avid golfer, motorcycle rider and outdoorsman.
On February 16, 1963 in Poughkeepsie, he married Charlotte (Hart) Papineau who survives him at home in Copake.
Also surviving are his children and their spouses, Donald Papineau, Jr. and wife April of North Carolina, Jon Papineau and wife Kim of Pleasant Valley, and Renee Albrect and husband Andrew also of Pleasant Valley. He also leaves eight grandchildren, one great grandchild and a brother, Richard Papineau of Highland.
At the time of his passing, Mr. Papineau became an organ donor to assist others in need.
Friends are invited and may call Thursday, January 5, 2012 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 8063 State Route 22 in Copake.
A Service of Remembrance will be held Friday, January 6, 2012, noon at the funeral home.
At the request of the family and in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 440 New Karner Road, Albany 12205 or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.
To send and online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net.
