Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Robert F. Callaghan
Robert F. Callaghan
Obituary
Guest Book
Robert Callaghan Obituary
Born in Saranac Lake, New York on June 22, 1944, he was the son of George and Kathryn (Otis) Callaghan. Robert met his wife, Sandra Herchenroder, on a blind date in 1964. They were married on Saturday, February 4, 1967 in Delmar, NY. Sandra predeceased him on March 25, 2018.
Bob had been employed as a vocational instructor for the New York State Department of Corrections at the
Adirondack Correctional Facility in Ray Brook for many years until his retirement in November 30, 2006. Bob served in the US Army 1964 to 1967 in the 1st Calvary 2d Armed Division, earning the Viet Nam Service Medal, W/1 Bronze Service Star, National Defense Service Medal, Air Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and his Aircraft Crewman Badge.
He attended Paul Smiths College, SUNY Albany, NCCC, and SUNY Oneonta earning a liberal arts degree and his teaching certificate. He is the author of two published nonfiction novels; We Lucked Out, about his time in Viet Nam, and Stop, Look and Listen, accounting his family's history and connection to the Adirondack railroad.
Robert is survived by his three sons Olin (Shana) Callaghan, Oliver Callaghan, and Bruce Callaghan, six grandchildren Shelby Callaghan, Nolan Callaghan, Rachael Callaghan, Brice Callaghan, Kayla Callaghan, and Ruby Callaghan, one brother Harold Callaghan of Lake Clear, NY, and two sisters Anita Boliver of Midland, TX, and Ruth Drechsler of Glenville, NY. He was preceded in death by his wife Sandra, his parents, his brothers Steven, Bryan and James Callaghan.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A graveside service will take place in the spring at St. John's Catholic Cemetery Lake Clear in Lake Clear.
Friends wishing to remember Robert F. Callaghan may make memorial contributions to Tri-Lakes Humane Society or the Rhett Syndrome Foundation 4500 Cooper Road, Suite 204
Cincinnati, OH 45242 or in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their condolences and memories online at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
20 Church Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
People and places connected with Robert
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
3 Entries
Terry Love
January 7, 2025
Cal and I flew together in Vietnam. HIS UH-1B Huey helicopter 63-8711 was a gunship before coming to our unit - HHC, 1st Signal Brigade, Aviation Section. It was completely shot up. Cal and his crew repaired the helicopter, and now it flew like it was new. He won more Air Medals - more like 6 or 7. He really did not the Army, and he did not care about medals and things. He was a great friend and soldier. His beloved 711 ended up with the Uruguay Air Force. It is in a museum in Uruguay. We had a few reunions, and Cal was always there. It was an honor that I knew him.
How you can show support
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
diana flescher
February 17, 2024
I first met Bob when Marilyn Petty introduced us when the Lake Clear Association was established many years ago. I found him to be a kind and modest man, unfailingly willing to help when anything needed to be done. He cared so much about the lake and our little hamlet. As far as I recall, he was the first or one of the first of our Association's presidents. I did not know he served in Vietnam, and will look for his books in the library. I do hope his talk on the history of Lake Clear was recorded or summarized... I will miss seeing him at the post office.
Karen Cohen Holmes
February 11, 2024
I will first have seen Bob when we were both children-I as a camper at Deerwood Music Camp, he with other siblings in the back of the truck of his dad, Vince, who looked after and maintained the camp. When we were adults, our family members were lucky enough to get to know Bob and Sandy all over again, in the summers when we were at Lake Clear. A more generous, smart, dedicated and kind person than Bob we may never know. His enormous knowledge of the history of Lake Clear was unrivaled and he was so gracious to share all of that with all of us. Particularly for those of us at Lake Clear, Bob´s passing is a great loss. The world has lost a wonderful soul. We send our condolences to all of Bob´s family.
Karen Cohen Holmes
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results
Make a Donation
in Robert Callaghan's name
How to support Robert's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Robert Callaghan's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more