Robert Lawrence Schraff

Robert Lawrence Schraff, 80, of Lagrange, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2025, after a long illness.
Born on December 21, 1944, in Jamaica, Queens, Robert-known to many as Bob, Bobby, and to some, El Jefe-was the youngest of nine children. Growing up, this meant wearing hand-me-downs, fighting for his share of dinner, and lamenting that not only was his birthday close to Christmas, but it also fell on the shortest day of the year!
Bob graduated from Aviation High School in Queens, where his academic brilliance earned him a college scholarship. But, true to his character, he turned it down and instead enlisted in the United States Air Force, proudly serving as an Airframe Repairman during the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge, Bob worked as an aircraft sheet metal repairman with TWA, where he famously lost his big toenail in a work-related accident (he dropped a piece of sheet metal on his toe).
In 1971, Bob joined the New York State Police, where he spent 25 years solving crimes, catching bad guys, and perfecting his "I know you're lying" stare. He retired as a Senior Investigator at SP Wappinger in 1995 but quickly realized retirement wasn't for him. So, he took on another job as a Fraud Investigator at Rhinebeck Savings Bank, ensuring no funny business went unnoticed on his watch.
Bob had a wide range of interests, from Jeopardy and Doo-Wop music to Yankees baseball, "mousing" around the mall, and flying planes in video games. But most importantly, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, ensuring they understood the "Two Rules of Life" (Rule 1: Everyone lies. Rule 2: When you think someone is telling the truth, remember Rule 1). He also made sure they knew to drive extra slow in the rain because, as he put it, "Heavy rain-hydroplane."
On April 19, 1975, Bob made the best decision of his life-marrying Jean, the love of his life, in a small ceremony in Somers, NY. Bob knew marrying a nurse was a genius move, and sure enough, Jean lovingly cared for him until his last breath-proving once again that Bob always had good instincts.
Bob leaves behind his two daughters, Kimberly and Jacqueline, his adored sons-in-law, Roy Van Voorhis and Dominic Monopoli, and his six beloved grandchildren: Jordan, Samantha, Mackenzie, "The" Dean (yes, he insisted on "The"), Andrew, and Dominic Jr. He also leaves behind his best friend and "Junior Man', Jack McCabe, whom he loved immensely, along with his brother Edward and a ridiculously large number of nieces, nephews, and great-nieces/nephews, who will all deeply miss his wisecracks, his unmatched sense of humor, and of course, his signature move-sneaking his half-eaten food onto the plate of the poor sucker sitting next to him at family dinners and waiting for them to notice.
Bob is now reunited with his parents, Josef and Helen Schraff, as well as his siblings: Rudolph, Albert, Rose, "The Twins" Patricia and Gertrude, Paul, and Marlene. We can only imagine they're already deep in a heated argument over something trivial-or perhaps he is finally drinking a cold German beer with his dad.
Bob and his family would like to extend their deep gratitude to the amazing team at Hospice for their meticulous care and unwavering support over the last year.
Friends and family are invited to say their goodbyes (or simply swap Bob stories) at McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, on Sunday from 2-6 PM. A final send-off will take place Monday at 11 AM at McHoul Funeral Home, followed by a burial with full Military Honors at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer's Association-two causes close to his heart. But if you really want to honor Bob, tell a joke, share a great story, or pull a harmless prank in his memory. He would love that.