John Wadsworth Schubert (1944 – 2014)
HUDSON—The Lord suddenly called home John Wadsworth Schubert of Kinderhook, Thursday, May 29, 2014.
He was born February 4, 1944 in Lansingburgh, to John H. and Florence (Bradt) Schubert and was an honored descendent of the Brewster Mayflower family.
Mr. Schubert was a devoted husband to his wife Sara Shipp Warner Schubert; loving father of Lisa Schubert of Tangent, OR, John O. Schubert of State College, PA, Sara E. Schubert of Philadelphia, PA, and Mary E. Schubert of Manchester, CT; a proud grandfather to many grand “kitties,”; an excellent role model for little sister, Gail Collins, her husband Steve Collins and her sons, Benjamin and Jonathan Fain; the beloved brother-in-law of Nancy (Warner) and George Litteral and uncle to Emily Litteral.
Mr. Schubert was a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduate, concentrating in math and physics. He was in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He worked for more than 40 years at IBM and was recognized for his contributions to New York State’s computer infrastructure. “He was a computer engineer before computer engineers were cool.”
Mr. Schubert was an active and long-time member of Kinderhook Reformed Church, well known for his Mickey Mouse pancakes at the church pancake breakfasts and his adult Sunday school lessons. He was an Eagle Scout, involved in scouting over many years with his son. He was an explorer of all things, spending countless hours in museums and national and state parks.
Mr. Schubert enjoyed camping, especially at Fish Creek in the Adirondacks. He took his family across the country by RV more than once, taking thousands of photos and slides that he loved to share. He treasured the beauty of the little things and of all nature could teach us, especially teaching others to identify trees and birds.
Always willing to get his hands dirty, Mr. Schubert helped his children with their home projects over several states as well as working on his own home. He worked hard to get four of everything for his children. From family china pattern to restoring Old Town canoes, he spent many hours working on wood, caning chairs, making stained glass and crafting.
Mr. Schubert was a rescuer of forgotten plants and an avid gardener especially of lilies and irises. He fed every bird but disliked the aggressive nature of the blue jay. He relocated more than 27 chipmunks and many seasons of tadpoles in his continuous efforts to protect nature. He feigned indifference to the cats but became a cat whisperer to his grand kitties. He loved to read and cherished books for the treasures they hold. He was an avid stamp collector and a James Bond, Sherlock Holmes, and mystery movie enthusiast. He loved to give gifts like stuffed animal and games to all the children. Holidays were an all day affair as he probably holds the Guinness Book of World Records as the slowest present unwrapper in history. “He had many a sweet tooth, filled with anything chocolate – fudge, fresh baked goods from his wife, and those midnight cookie snacks!” But because of his love of outdoors and active lifestyle, it never went to his waist. He enjoyed hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and winning at all games like pinochle and dominoes.
With so many memories to share, the family will celebrate his life with viewing at the Raymond E Bond Funeral Home in Valatie, Monday, June 2, 2014, 6 to 8 p.m. and with funeral services Tuesday, June 3, 2014, 11 a.m. at the Kinderhook Reformed Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kinderhook Reformed Church Historical Restoration Fund, P.O. Box 638, Kinderhook 12106 or the National Park Foundation, online at http://www.nationalparks.org/
Raymond “Dutch” Sears, Jr. (1937 – 2014)
BENNINGTON, VT—Raymond “Dutch” Sears, Jr., 77, of West Lebanon died peacefully Saturday, May 31 at the Crescent Manor Nursing Home with his family at his side. Born in Pittsfield, MA, March 22, 1937, he was the son of the late Raymond and Alice Hatch Sears, Sr.
Mr. Sears was a resident of West Lebanon for most of his life, and had worked on a chicken farm there. He then worked in construction and helped build the Walter B. Howard Elementary School in West Lebanon and the Mohawk Mall in Schenectady. He later was employed by Sampson Hydraulics and Zwack, Inc. in Stephentown as a machinist. He was an outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing.
He was the former husband of Margaret Sears of Stephentown; devoted father of Tammy (Jon) Cimijotti of East Greenbush, Christine (George) Sears-Parker of Hoosick Falls, Donald (Carissa) Sears of East Chatham and Charley Sears (Michelle Hoffman) of East Nassau; grandfather of Courtney (Joe) Marro, Samantha Sears, Corey Cimijotti, Fallon Parker, Timmy Sears and Dawson Cimijotti; brother of William Sears of West Lebanon and the late Robert Sears. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held Friday, June 6, 10 a.m. at the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 State Route 43, Stephentown with the Reverend Clinton Dugger officiating. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home, Thursday, June 5 from 4 to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 16, Hoosick Falls 12090 or to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA, 111 Humane Society Road, Hudson 12534. Sign the condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.
Ronald A. Kleemann (1937 – 2014)
GT. BARRINGTON, MA—Ronald Allen Kleemann, 76, photorealist painter, died May 30 at the Timberlyn Heights Nursing Home of complications from dementia.
Born July 24, 1937 in Bay City, Michigan, he was the son of Walter and Corinne (Falk) Kleemann.
He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1961 with a BFA from the School of Architecture and Design, where he received his training in sculpture and painting. Just out of college, he moved to New York City to work and live as an artist. In 1972, he became a resident of Columbia County. He lived in Stockport for 35 years and then moved to Valatie in 2007.
In New York City, his original medium was sculpture but he soon became more interested in painting. After a few years of pounding the pavement looking for a gallery to represent him, his work was accepted for show by a few galleries. He finally became well-known as a photorealist artist in the early 1970s after being represented by the Louis K. Meisel gallery in SoHo. He has remained with Meisel, who coined the term, “photorealism.” His work is owned by major museums, such as the Guggenheim and MOMA in New York, and modern collectors, and regularly appears in both solo and group shows all over the world. He is studied by students and artists, and a full overview of his life and work is available online in the Smithsonian Institute’s Archives of American Art, which includes an extensive interview and his personal and work-related papers.
Mr. Kleemann is survived by: his wife of 35 years, Sarah (Woolworth) Kleemann; his step-daughter, Tracey Houlihan; his second wife, Margaret Gilliam; son, Gunnar (Karen) Kleemann; two granddaughters; his first wife, Susan Beudel; two daughters, Wendy Diehl and Kris (Kelly) Ryon; three granddaughters; and by his beloved dogs, Fiona and Ronni.
Mr. Kleemann loved painting, travel, animals and people. Thanks to his art, he was able to travel throughout the United States and Europe, always taking pictures and looking for his next subject to paint. He painted race cars, fire engines, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons, airplanes, and many other subjects that caught his eye. Most of his paintings were sharply realistic, often featuring reflections. He always said he loved shiny objects. In the 1990s, when the painting business was slow, Mr. Kleemann spent 10 years as a counselor for Coarc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that provides programs and services to people with developmental disabilities in Columbia County. He was an avid ballroom dancer, and he and his wife could often be seen at local dances and balls. His humor and stories were legendary among all who knew him. He was greatly loved and will be missed.
At his request, there will be no funeral, but a private memorial service for friends and family will be held at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society, 111 Humane Society Road, Hudson 12534; and COARC, P.O. Box 2, 630 Route 217, Mellenville 12544.
