Hoosick – Robert W. Lohnes, 70, of Mapletown in Hoosick, NY, died Monday afternoon, December 22, at his home with his loving family at his side, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Bennington, VT, on February 19, 1938, he was the son of Laura (Webster) Lohnes and the late Carroll Lohnes. He graduated from Hoosick Falls High School – Class of 1955, received a BS degree at Colorado State University and a Masters of Education degree at North Adams State College. He also served seven years in the Colorado National Guard.
He taught Vocational Agriculture in Granada, CO, for three years. Upon returning to this area, he was Farm Manager for Evergreen Farm in North Petersburgh, NY. He then taught at Berlin Central School for 32 years where he was an active member of the Berlin Teachers Association and held the offices of Treasurer and President. After retiring in 1995 he worked full time on his Mapletown Farm, focusing on land conservation and developing a breeding herd of Registered Angus and Belted Galloway beef cattle. In 1995 he proudly received the Special Conservation Recognition Award presented by the Rensselaer County Conservation District. Robert also had great respect for the Native American philosophy of life.
As an active member of the community, Robert was a former member of the Hoosick Fire Department where he worked to establish the Fire Police Unit. He served 35 years on the Vestry of All Saints Church as Senior Warden. He was President of the Hoosick Cemetery Association from 1986 to 2008. He worked on the revision of the Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Hoosick and served three years on the Town of Hoosick Planning Board. He was a Board Member of the Whipstock Hill Preservation Society and a member of the Hoosick Falls High School Alumni Committee since 2005.
Besides his mother of Hoosick he leaves his wife, the former Susan J. Marshall, whom he married on August 21, 1965, one daughter, Carol L. and her husband Joseph MacDonald of Mapletown, one son, Gary M. Lohnes of Mapletown, two grandchildren, Collin and Faye MacDonald, one brother, Edward and wife Wanda Lohnes of Canon City, CO, one aunt, two nephews, three nieces and several cousins.
Robert’s family sends a special thank you for the love and support of Sandra and Robert Phelps and family as well as to the Community Hospice of Rensselaer County.
Relatives and friends were invited to attend a Memorial Service on Saturday, December 27, at 11 am from the All Saints Church in Hoosick. The burial will be at the convenience of the family. Calling hours were Friday at the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY, from 4 to 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hoosick Cemetery Association or the All Saints Church through the funeral home.