Christian Louis Hacker

Hacker, Christian Louis VALATIE Christian Louis Hacker, 67, better known as Lou Hacker, of Valatie, died April 9, 2015, at the Samuel Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, leaving behind a hell of a lot of stuff his wife and daughter have no idea what to do with. So, if you're looking for car parts for a Toyota, BMW, Triumph, Dodge or Ford between the years of about 1953-2013, or maybe half a dozen circular saws, still in their boxes with the Home Depot receipts attached, you should wait the appropriate amount of time and get in touch. But this is not an ad for a used parts store, this is an obituary for a great man, generous landlord, committed husband and adoring father who was born on July 13, 1947, in Hudson, the son of the late Walter D. and Elsie M. (Barner) Hacker Sr. Lou graduated from Ichabod Crane High School, attended SUNY Geneseo admittedly passing chemistry only because he baked his professor a cake and served in the U.S. Army, Eighth Army Honor Guard, from July 26, 1970 to September 20, 1971 in South Korea, where he met and fell in love with his wife, Yong Soon. Lou's gregarious nature, mechanical genius and general resourcefulness helped him succeed in his jobs as a car mechanic, real estate agent, MOTOR manual sales rep and business manager, all of which helped him in his last and final career as a successful property owner and landlord. He often brushed off his success, saying, "I'm just a glorified janitor, really." But his tenants and family knew he loved his job, turning derelict buildings into beautifully renovated apartments. But he mostly loved his job for the people he met from all over the world, who he housed in his apartments. He checked in on his tenants often, offering up gifts of used bicycles, kitchen tables, TVs and couches to those who struggled to furnish their homes or single moms who looked like their kids could use a new toy or bike. Famous for saying, "One man's junk is another man's treasure," as well as his habitual presence at local garage sales and flea markets, there wasn't a part, tool, piece of furniture or sports equipment he wouldn't dig up for a neighbor, family member or tenant in need. So though Lou's family is a little angry about the heaps of "junk" he's left behind for them to deal with, the stacks of lawnmowers, the wrench sets in Christmas wrapping, the carcass of a 1972 BMW rotting in the backyard, it helps to remember the place of generosity for which these piles of stuff have accumulated. Because Lou wasn't so much stocking up for what he might need for himself, but for what others might need. Those needs filled his heart, mind and an entire basement. And in those moments when someone would ask for a tool, part, or any kind of help, his face would light up and that junk would suddenly be transformed into treasure. He is sorely missed and survived by his wife,Yong Soon (Kim) Hacker, better known as Mina Hacker; his daughter, Tasha Hacker of Valatie; sister Lynda (Hacker) Araoz of Valatie and three nephews, Gregory Hacker, Martin Araoz and Rodrigo Araoz. He was predeceased by his brother, Walter Hacker Jr. Car parts sales and funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m., on Saturday, April 18, at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home Inc., 1015 Kinderhook St., Valatie, with Carlos Araoz officiating. Burial will follow in the Kinderhook Cemetery. Calling hours will be Friday, April 17, from 6-8 p.m., at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Fisher House, 113 Holland Ave., Albany, NY 12208 or the Spirit and Truth Fellowship International, 180 Robert Curry Drive, Martinsville, IN 46151. The family would like to thank the talented and caring doctors and nurses of the VA Medical Center in Albany, all of whom worked hard to care for Lou and prolong his life.