Richard Charles Bala

Richard "Rich" Bala, 74, passed away on Thursday, February 12th, at Saratoga Hospital, Saratoga Springs, NY, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, he moved to the Mid-Hudson valley during his college years and was a resident of Dutchess County for over 50 years. Rich was both a musician and a historian who performed songs about the history of New York State and the Hudson River Valley at schools, museums, libraries, historic sites, festivals, and community events throughout the Northeast. His performances include concerts at Caffe' Lena (Saratoga Springs), Albany Institute of History and Art, New England Folk Festival (Natick, MA), the Hudson River Museum (Yonkers), Saugerties Garlic Festival, Clearwater's Hudson River Festival (Croton-On-Hudson), and the NY Historical Society (NYC), to name a few. He performed with Pete Seeger, Tom Chapin, Jay Unger & Molly Mason, and countless others. He also regularly presented programs on Hudson River history with Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk as The Hudson River Ramblers.

Rich released 6 recordings:

- 2 solo CD's, "Hudson Valley Traditions" and "Home for the Harvest"

- 2 as The Barefoot Boys with multi-instrumentalist Tom White, "With Boots On" and "Sweetwater Passage"

- 2 award-winning recordings as The Hudson River Ramblers with storyteller Jonathan Kruk, "Revolution on the  River" and "Once Upon the Hudson".

Rich was known for his sense of humor, sharp wit, and knowledge of trivia (especially movies and music). He was a loving husband and father and took naturally to a more recent role as "Pop-Pop" to his grandchildren.

Rich is survived by his wife, Catherine Bala, of Latham, NY; daughter Rachel Mickle and husband John Mickle, of Delmar, NY; daughter Stacey Bala and fiance Eric Morphy of Raleigh, NC; sister Carol Castellano, of Brewster, NY; and grandchildren Charlie and Rowan Mickle, all of whom will remember him fondly and miss him dearly.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit Applebee Funeral Home, Delmar, NY, from 2:00-5:00pm on Sunday, February 15th. Attendees are encouraged to celebrate his life by sharing their favorite remembrances of Rich.

Rich was well-known in his later years for his insistence that gifts to him be in the form of donations to charity. In keeping with his wishes, please consider a donation to the charity of one's choice.