Feature Story

The Altamont Enterprise Feature Story for the week of January 26, 2012

Rudy Stempel dies at 82
Hilltown icon mourned

BERNE — Rudolph “Rudy” Valentino Stempel was an honest man, a straight talker, and a loyal friend. A former town supervisor, he was known for his “salt of the earth” personality, and for his family sawmill.

“He was a true-spirited guy,” said his daughter, Sandra Kisselback. “He was an unbelievable supporter of his family. He was the biggest shoulder to cry on as a father. He helped me so much, and I know he helped our other family members out when they needed it.”

Mr. Stempel died on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, after collapsing at a bowling alley where he played in a league for over 40 years. He was 82.

His close friend, Rodney McCathran, was there when it happened.

“We were in the fifth frame,” Mr. McCathran said. “He bowled a ball, and it was a right-on hit, but he only got nine pins. Rudy stood there like he always did, like, ‘What in the devil is wrong with that ball?’ So, he turned over and looked to the rack. Then, he turned again, and came back toward the bench. I saw his head leaned-over like, and I looked over, and his knees started to buckle. I came over and grabbed him, and I laid him on the floor.”

His friends brought his oxygen tank over, and got him breathing again. He was rushed to St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, where doctors fought to save him, but to no avail.

“I guess he had a couple heart attacks at the hospital,” said Mr. McCathran. “They had him stabilized, and then it happened again, and that was it.”

Mr. Stempel was born on Feb. 9, 1929, in Albany, the son of the late Therezia Yanik and John Stempel Sr. He joined the United States Army in January 1951, and served his country on the front lines in the Korean conflict in the Army Corp of Engineers.

But first, he met the love of his life, Sheila Stempel. She had moved to the Hilltowns from Albany, and was living with her Aunt Margaret at the time, she said.

“She ran the telephone office, and we found out there was going to be a dance at the Maple Inn,” Mrs. Stempel said. It was the summer of 1950.

“It was just one of those things: He was there, and we danced the night away,” she said. “We did that most of our lives. Every weekend, we used to go dancing.”

Months later, they were engaged, and he joined the military the following January. He was sent to the front lines in Korea, where he ran a bulldozer, building roads and digging holes for the tanks. Reminiscing about it this past summer, he said he liked the intensity of the work.

“You didn’t have things to worry about,” he said. “Your only goal was just keeping yourself alive. You had your meals and a place to sleep. You took care of yourself and made sure not to get hit. You lived or died. That was it.”

He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1953.

“He went away for almost two years,” his wife said. “He came back, and we got married and started raising a family.” Their wedding was on April 11, 1953.

His experience in the military helped him to get work in the construction industry. After getting married, he took his life savings and bought a sawmill, which he used to cut lumber and build his home.

“A Frenchman he became acquainted with taught him to saw, and his sawmill business was in the wing when he wasn’t farming on his father’s farm,” his family wrote in a tribute. “The life of a sawyer was more in his blood than farming.”

As a young husband, Mr. Stempel worked well into the night to make a living for his wife and six children. The Rudy Stempel Family Sawmill would eventually grow into a well known and respected local business.

John Egan befriended Mr. Stempel when he heard of the sawmill, and began purchasing lumber from him.

“Rudy was never artificial,” said Mr. Egan. “He dared to speak regarding unpopular truths…He’s going to be sorely missed in our community.”

Though Mr. Stempel was “simple in many respects,” he could speak on sophisticated subjects, Mr. Egan went on.

“He knew hard times, and he knew good times,” said Mr. Egan. “But he never forgot where he came from.”

Dr. Lyon Greenberg, a friend who met the Stempels through his medical practice, remembers Mr. Stempel as an individualist — “beyond what most people expect of government,” he said.

He was an “unbelievable guy — the salt of the earth,” Dr. Greenberg said. “He was a real character, and I don’t know if there was anyone like him.”

Dr. Greenberg, like many others, bought wood from the Stempels.

“Much of the lumber down at my son’s farm came from Rudy,” Dr. Greenberg said. “And, if we needed some special hardwood to do some cabinetwork, like cherry wood, he would cut up a special kind of wood for us.”

Mrs. Stempel remembers her husband as a very hard worker, who was occasionally stubborn.

“He worked, and I did all his bookkeeping, and he didn’t believe in vacations,” she recalled. “If you had an idea that was better, he’d say, ‘No,’ and then the next day, he’d say, ‘Oh I had this idea,’ but he wouldn’t admit to whatever you were saying,” she said with a laugh.

“And you always had to have meals on time,” his wife said. “It was like he had an alarm clock in his stomach.”

Their work took up most of their time, she went on. But then, one day, one of their children fell ill.

“My daughter Sandra had a kidney transplant from my one son, and she started volunteering for the Kidney Foundation. We went to different places in the country, where the Kidney Foundation would have games where you competed. So, she needed company, and we’d go along.”

Mr. Stempel was instrumental in building a baseball field on Stage Road on part of his father’s farm, where Rudy coached the East Berne Indian Little League team.

He embraced challenges. Although Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 2 to 1 in Berne, Mr. Stempel ran for and was elected supervisor — the first GOP supervisor in 40 years. He ran on the Republican line many times after that. Admiration for his tenacity cut across party lines.

“I think anybody would tell you that, if you tell Rudy Stempel that something couldn’t be done, he would get it done,” said Joseph Golden, a Berne Town Board member.

When snow caved in the roof over his mill a few years back, he vowed he’d rebuild, and he did. Last year, when his mill needed a new part he couldn’t afford, Mr. Stempel went back to using the mill he started his business with a half-century before.

As safety coordinator for the Memorial Day Parade in Berne, Mr. Stempel got the help of the New York State Police to lead the parade. He sat on the passenger side of the trooper car, and people along the parade route would cheer and applaud as he went by.

He was also a charter member of the East Berne Fire Company, and he served for years as one of the directors of the Kiwanis of the Helderbergs. It was there that he met his friend, Mr. McCathran, about nine years ago.

“He was a good man,” Mr. McCathran said of his bowling buddy. “He had sort of a gruff way of talking, and I think people misunderstood him. But he was like a big teddy bear. Just a fine person.”

Friends and family alike will miss him.

“We’ll have to do without Rudy for a while,” Mr. McCathran said of his friend. “We’re going to keep bowling, I think. We’ll bowl for Rudy.”

****

In addition to his wife of almost 59 years, Sheila, Mr. Stempel is survived by his children: Catherine and her husband, Arthur Appleby; Brian and his wife, Kathy Stempel; Sandra and her husband, James Kisselback; Linda and her husband, Paul Gicewicz; and Greg and his wife, Tammy Stempel.

He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Avery, Nathan, and Molly Stempel; Mark Conklin; Allen and Rudy-Greg Stempel; Gwen and Christopher Appleby; and Sarah and Charlotte Gicewicz; as well as five great-grandchildren, Kayla and Fox Riffenburg-Stempel; Logan and Trevor Stempel; and Austin Conklin.

Mr. Stempel’s sister, Veronika, died before him, as did his brother, John Stempel Jr., and his son, Eric Stempel.

A funeral service will be held at the Thompsons Lake Reformed Church in East Berne on Friday, Feb. 3, at 12:30 p.m., followed by interment in Woodlawn Cemetery in Berne. Friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. till noon.

“In lieu of flowers, help someone in need,” his family wrote in a tribute. “Rudy was a one-of-a-kind human being, never afraid to lend a helping hand to his neighbor. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”


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	The Altamont Enterprise Feature Story for the week of January 26, 2012 Rudy Stempel dies at 82 Hilltown icon mourned BERNE — Rudolph “Rudy” Valentino Stempel was an honest man, a straight talker, and a loyal friend. A former town supervisor, he was known for his “salt of the earth” personality, and for his family sawmill. “He was a true-spirited guy,” said his daughter, Sandra Kisselback. “He was an unbelievable supporter of his family. He was the biggest shoulder to cry on as a father. He helped me so much, and I know he helped our other family members out when they needed it.” Mr. Stempel died on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, after collapsing at a bowling alley where he played in a league for over 40 years. He was 82. His close friend, Rodney McCathran, was there when it happened. “We were in the fifth frame,” Mr. McCathran said. “He bowled a ball, and it was a right-on hit, but he only got nine pins. Rudy stood there like he always did, like, ‘What in the devil is wrong with that ball?’ So, he turned over and looked to the rack. Then, he turned again, and came back toward the bench. I saw his head leaned-over like, and I looked over, and his knees started to buckle. I came over and grabbed him, and I laid him on the floor.” His friends brought his oxygen tank over, and got him breathing again. He was rushed to St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, where doctors fought to save him, but to no avail. “I guess he had a couple heart attacks at the hospital,” said Mr. McCathran. “They had him stabilized, and then it happened again, and that was it.” Mr. Stempel was born on Feb. 9, 1929, in Albany, the son of the late Therezia Yanik and John Stempel Sr. He joined the United States Army in January 1951, and served his country on the front lines in the Korean conflict in the Army Corp of Engineers. But first, he met the love of his life, Sheila Stempel. She had moved to the Hilltowns from Albany, and was living with her Aunt Margaret at the time, she said. “She ran the telephone office, and we found out there was going to be a dance at the Maple Inn,” Mrs. Stempel said. It was the summer of 1950. “It was just one of those things: He was there, and we danced the night away,” she said. “We did that most of our lives. Every weekend, we used to go dancing.” Months later, they were engaged, and he joined the military the following January. He was sent to the front lines in Korea, where he ran a bulldozer, building roads and digging holes for the tanks. Reminiscing about it this past summer, he said he liked the intensity of the work. “You didn’t have things to worry about,” he said. “Your only goal was just keeping yourself alive. You had your meals and a place to sleep. You took care of yourself and made sure not to get hit. You lived or died. That was it.” He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1953. “He went away for almost two years,” his wife said. “He came back, and we got married and started raising a family.” Their wedding was on April 11, 1953. His experience in the military helped him to get work in the construction industry. After getting married, he took his life savings and bought a sawmill, which he used to cut lumber and build his home. “A Frenchman he became acquainted with taught him to saw, and his sawmill business was in the wing when he wasn’t farming on his father’s farm,” his family wrote in a tribute. “The life of a sawyer was more in his blood than farming.” As a young husband, Mr. Stempel worked well into the night to make a living for his wife and six children. The Rudy Stempel Family Sawmill would eventually grow into a well known and respected local business. John Egan befriended Mr. Stempel when he heard of the sawmill, and began purchasing lumber from him. “Rudy was never artificial,” said Mr. Egan. “He dared to speak regarding unpopular truths…He’s going to be sorely missed in our community.” Though Mr. Stempel was “simple in many respects,” he could speak on sophisticated subjects, Mr. Egan went on. “He knew hard times, and he knew good times,” said Mr. Egan. “But he never forgot where he came from.” Dr. Lyon Greenberg, a friend who met the Stempels through his medical practice, remembers Mr. Stempel as an individualist — “beyond what most people expect of government,” he said. He was an “unbelievable guy — the salt of the earth,” Dr. Greenberg said. “He was a real character, and I don’t know if there was anyone like him.” Dr. Greenberg, like many others, bought wood from the Stempels. “Much of the lumber down at my son’s farm came from Rudy,” Dr. Greenberg said. “And, if we needed some special hardwood to do some cabinetwork, like cherry wood, he would cut up a special kind of wood for us.” Mrs. Stempel remembers her husband as a very hard worker, who was occasionally stubborn. “He worked, and I did all his bookkeeping, and he didn’t believe in vacations,” she recalled. “If you had an idea that was better, he’d say, ‘No,’ and then the next day, he’d say, ‘Oh I had this idea,’ but he wouldn’t admit to whatever you were saying,” she said with a laugh. “And you always had to have meals on time,” his wife said. “It was like he had an alarm clock in his stomach.” Their work took up most of their time, she went on. But then, one day, one of their children fell ill. “My daughter Sandra had a kidney transplant from my one son, and she started volunteering for the Kidney Foundation. We went to different places in the country, where the Kidney Foundation would have games where you competed. So, she needed company, and we’d go along.” Mr. Stempel was instrumental in building a baseball field on Stage Road on part of his father’s farm, where Rudy coached the East Berne Indian Little League team. He embraced challenges. Although Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 2 to 1 in Berne, Mr. Stempel ran for and was elected supervisor — the first GOP supervisor in 40 years. He ran on the Republican line many times after that. Admiration for his tenacity cut across party lines. “I think anybody would tell you that, if you tell Rudy Stempel that something couldn’t be done, he would get it done,” said Joseph Golden, a Berne Town Board member. When snow caved in the roof over his mill a few years back, he vowed he’d rebuild, and he did. Last year, when his mill needed a new part he couldn’t afford, Mr. Stempel went back to using the mill he started his business with a half-century before. As safety coordinator for the Memorial Day Parade in Berne, Mr. Stempel got the help of the New York State Police to lead the parade. He sat on the passenger side of the trooper car, and people along the parade route would cheer and applaud as he went by. He was also a charter member of the East Berne Fire Company, and he served for years as one of the directors of the Kiwanis of the Helderbergs. It was there that he met his friend, Mr. McCathran, about nine years ago. “He was a good man,” Mr. McCathran said of his bowling buddy. “He had sort of a gruff way of talking, and I think people misunderstood him. But he was like a big teddy bear. Just a fine person.” Friends and family alike will miss him. “We’ll have to do without Rudy for a while,” Mr. McCathran said of his friend. “We’re going to keep bowling, I think. We’ll bowl for Rudy.” **** In addition to his wife of almost 59 years, Sheila, Mr. Stempel is survived by his children: Catherine and her husband, Arthur Appleby; Brian and his wife, Kathy Stempel; Sandra and her husband, James Kisselback; Linda and her husband, Paul Gicewicz; and Greg and his wife, Tammy Stempel. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Avery, Nathan, and Molly Stempel; Mark Conklin; Allen and Rudy-Greg Stempel; Gwen and Christopher Appleby; and Sarah and Charlotte Gicewicz; as well as five great-grandchildren, Kayla and Fox Riffenburg-Stempel; Logan and Trevor Stempel; and Austin Conklin. Mr. Stempel’s sister, Veronika, died before him, as did his brother, John Stempel Jr., and his son, Eric Stempel. A funeral service will be held at the Thompsons Lake Reformed Church in East Berne on Friday, Feb. 3, at 12:30 p.m., followed by interment in Woodlawn Cemetery in Berne. Friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. till noon. “In lieu of flowers, help someone in need,” his family wrote in a tribute. “Rudy was a one-of-a-kind human being, never afraid to lend a helping hand to his neighbor. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.” [Return to this week in news] [Return to Home Page]