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Richard Kohlbach Obituary
Richard (Dick) F. Kohlbach passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at his Windsor, NY home. He was predeceased by his parents, Francis (Frank) and Edna Kohlbach; in-laws, Robert and Ina VanOstrand; his nephew, Daniel Kohlbach; and son-in-law, Donald VanZandt. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Doris (Dodie) Kohlbach; son, Richard (Sue) Kohlbach; daughter, Cheryl (Dennis) Tifft; daughter, Sharon VanZandt; son, David (Kim) Kohlbach; son, James (Kathryn) Kohlbach; brother, Norman Kohlbach; niece, Carol Conklin, Ellen Madison; 12 grandchildren, Beau (Tonya), Frank (Corie), Andrew, Sarah (Brett), Dustin, Devin (Kate), Rachel (Brian), Denise (Tony), David Jr., Nicole, Caleb & Elena); and 13 great-grandchildren (Mara, Hayley, Beau Jr, Parker, Lily, Sage, Landon, Lydia, Carter, Kollin, Kaeden, Ethan & Adelyn) and a number of extended family and close friends. Richard graduated from Windsor High School where he and his brother Norm excelled at wrestling. It was there that he met the love of his life, Doris, whom he later married and had 5 children. There was always a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face whenever he spoke of her. His career commenced with the D&H Railroad and ended after 37 years of service at Gorick Construction Co. as a heavy equipment operator and supervisor - it was there that he earned the nickname "Captain Chaos". He loved the dirt and demolition, but more so he was a farmer at heart and was extremely proud of the livestock and crops he produced. You could not leave his house in the summer without him placing bags of vegetables in your vehicle. He may not have always expressed his love in words, but his actions always revealed his heart of gold and willingness to help those in need. Oftentimes a head-nod from him was all that was necessary. He will be remembered for his contagious smirk/smile, readiness with a joke and a whistle that was louder than the machines he operated. Richard was a devoted, strong-willed, extremely generous, and dedicated man, who did things his way and we will miss him dearly. Per Richard's wishes, there will be no memorial service, but instead a Celebration of a Life Well Lived on Friday, May 16th, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the West Windsor Fire Station, 8 Karla Drive, Windsor, NY 13865. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777.
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Kohlbach
Sponsored by Your Family.
BEATRICE PESLER
May 5, 2025
IF YOU WERE STILL HERE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR BEST NEIGHBOR NOW YOU HAVE BILL WITH YOU. MISS BOTH OF YOU.
wilma price
May 3, 2025
Can't believe it's been 9 years, wonderful friend and neighbor, always think of him when I pass a pond or cellar that he dug. He did so many thing for us. thinking of his family with prayers
BEATRICE PESLER
May 3, 2024
ALWAYS IN OUR HEART.....THE BEST PERSON WE EVER KNEW. I'M SURE BILLY IS WITH HIM NOW, I PERSONLY MISS OUR CHATS ON THE PHONE. WE WOULD GO ON ABOUT WORLD EVENTS LOCAL WINDSOR 'STUFF' ETC. NO MATTER WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS "YOU ARE IN HEAVEN.
FOREVER YOUR FRIEND. BEATRICE PESLER
Wilma J Price
May 3, 2023
What a wonderful friend and neighbor. He helped so many people with building so many pond, cellars ditches, what ever was needed. Always bought sweet corn from his stand on the corner and bought hay for our horses from him. God Bless his family.
BEATRICE PESLER
May 3, 2021
HE IS TRULY MISSED FOREVER. PLEASE MEET WITH BILL IN HEAVEN.
May 5, 2015
It will be a year tomorrow that you left us. Our hearts remain heavy with you not around, but our spirits are lifted each day as well with the great memories.
The fields are being prepped for plowing & planting, we're ready for haying and the gardens will be tilled this weekend. We're all doing OK. May you rest in peace and we'll see you on the other side someday.
Love Always,
Your Family
May 5, 2015
ALWAYS AND FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS AND MIND. IT'S NEVER BEEN THE SAME SINCE YOUR PASSING. BROKEN HEART & TEARS.
FOREVER YOUR TRUE FRIENDS,
BEATRICE & BILL PESLER NJ & NY
cousin Gail (the only girl)
August 21, 2014
As we approach Labor Day Weekend, I've been thinking about Richie even more. He will be missed. The family in heaven has received a wonderful jewel to their table. Stay strong and know he is no longer in pain. God Bless!
Mike Thomas
May 16, 2014
Dodie, and Family, So sorry, Richie will be truly missed. He was a good friend and Neighbor. His expertise with equipment was a gift, I was always in awe watching him do the various projects he did for us. He always had a big smile.
Mike and Tina Thomas
May 16, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with you today as you go about todays activities.
Cindy
BEVERLY TIERNEY
May 15, 2014
DEAR DODIE AND FAMILY, SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, YOU AND THE FAMILY WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS. RICHARD WILL BE GREATLY MISS BY ALL. BEVERLY TIERNEY.
ALICE HAWK
May 13, 2014
DEAR KOHLBACK FAMILY, YOUR IN MY PRAYERS, MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU ALL. RICHIE WAS A GOOD PERSON, HE WILL BE MISSED. ALICE HAWK.
Fred & Brenda Spear
May 13, 2014
Dear Kohlbach family..we are so sorry for your loss..our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bob Northrup
May 12, 2014
To a wonderful neighbor that would do anything which needed to be done at any hour of the day or night.Those mornings having coffee a cokkies with you and talking about what was going in the world. Memories which will always be with us and remembered.The family lost a great person who will be missed by all.
Vicki & Dave Johnson
May 12, 2014
Dodie and family, So sorry for your loss. Words can not express what you all are going through. He will be greatly missed.
Cathy VanZandt
May 12, 2014
So sorry for your loss, he will be missed dearly. I do believe Donnie greeted him with open arms.
May 11, 2014
Grandpa
The passing of you leaves a huge void in all of our hearts. The words of love may haven't been spoken often by you, but your actions spoke louder than any words could ever. I can go on and on about the memories I have of you, they will never be lost. Your legacy is instilled in ever one or your kids and grand kids and this will never be lost. I can honestly say I am doing what you yourself would want is to do, celebrate your life and not let sorrow fill our soles!
So as you would always say when we would end our conversations
"Keep it in your sneaker"
Love Grove
Dave Kohlbach
May 11, 2014
We will miss you dad. I have always thought of you at least once a day probably a lot more than once to be honest and that will never stop. We will stay strong and carry on I promise to take care of mom and the farm. Until I see you again I love you.
Dave
Joan McEwen (Thomas]
May 11, 2014
Sorry for your loss, I remember him and I'm sad to hear
Vernon, Pat, & Courtney Ramey
May 10, 2014
We are so very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Nan Pellerin
May 10, 2014
To the Kohlbach family,
“I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.” -(Leo Buscaglia)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Nan
wilma price
May 10, 2014
Dodie and family, Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Losing the head of such a large and close family leaves a big empty spot. He was a great neighbor and friend who helped us out many times. From his building most everyones ponds up here on the hill to buying corn and hay from him, he was a master of all trades. Good Bless. Don& Wilma(Hawk) Price
Doug & Janet Fuller
May 10, 2014
As fellow members of the Windsor Class 1956 my wife and I send condolences to
his family our hearts go out to you.
Denise K
May 10, 2014
Grandpa,
Losing you this week has been absolutely devastating to our family but, we take solace in knowing you are at peace. Thank you for teaching me how to drive a tractor and teaching me the importance of hard work. I will miss hearing you whistle while we work on the farm. RIP
Diane Harris
May 10, 2014
Prayers for the whole family such a loss. He was one of Bobby's great friend to talk to about machinery he will be missed on the hill.
May 10, 2014
Kohlbach family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Richie was a legend. We hold you all in our prayers.
Ron & Sue Rambo
David, Laura and Katy Nixon
May 10, 2014
What a wonderful man.
His family is his legacy.
Our thoughts and prayers to all the Kohlbach family.
Ken and Pat Worden
May 10, 2014
To the Kohlbach family. We send our sincere condolences. Thoughts and prayers to all.
May 10, 2014
Dad,
Words cannot express the grief we are feeling now, but we take comfort in knowing you are at peace. I learned some of my greatest life lessons from you and will forever cherish the time we spent together.
You are gone, but will NEVER be forgotten.
Until I see you on the other side Big D...
Love,
Jim
Jean Meyer
May 9, 2014
So sorry to hear of Richard's passing. He seemed like a wonderful person and I know that he and Al are together again sharing old memories.
Melissa Conklin
May 9, 2014
U will be very missed uncle Richie....
Dave & Betty Phillips
May 9, 2014
It was a pleasure and an honor to know and work with Dickie. He was easy to to get to know and make into a good friend. There was never a job to big for him to tackle. He was a good man and will be missed by all. We are so sorry his family has to deal with this great loss. Our prayers are with the Kohlbach family.
May 9, 2014
To the Entire Family,
Our deepest sympathy. Some of my most wonderful childhood memories were with the Kohlbach's.
Cousins - Richie, Gail & Normie
Heather Miller
May 9, 2014
Heather Miller
May 9, 2014
Visiting on Labor Day weekend will never be the same. Sending thoughts and prayers to all my dear cousins on my Kohlbach side.
Barbara Severance
May 9, 2014
Dodie, and Family, I am both saddened and shocked on learning of Richard's passing. The obituary speaks so well of him and the life he lived. A beautiful tribute to a wonderful man. May God bring you comfort in your loss.
May 9, 2014
To the Kohlbach Family: Our thoughts are with you at this time of your loss. Richie will be missed by all.
Bob and Cheryl Brink
Steve [Ben] Bennett
May 9, 2014
Missy and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts as always are with you.
Katherine Urda
May 9, 2014
To all the Kohlbach children,
Fred and I send kind thoughts your way at this sad time. Remember all the great times you had, as you have a wonderfully large family to love and care for all. I remember you well from elem. school days in WCSD. Thinking of you now. Mrs. K.Urda(lib.ret.)
Steve, Theresa and Christina Coddington
May 9, 2014
So very sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathies to all of you. Much love, the Coddington's
Denise and Bill Schutz
May 9, 2014
Words can't express how horrible we feel for all of you. We are truly soory!!
Ken Kerrigan
May 9, 2014
Cheryl to you and your family your in my thoughts and prayers .The loss of a loved one is always hard but know he is in a better place and no longer suffering.
Bill & Beatrice Pesler
May 9, 2014
To the Kohlbach family - Deepest Condolences. Our hearts are broken knowing we won't hear or see Richie whenever we came up the past 40 years. He was a kind spirit and loved his cows, especially the old one.
God Bless his soul.
Bill & Beatrice Pesler
New Milford, N.J.
David and Alyson Thomas
May 9, 2014
We will always remember Richie with his big grin while he operated the 977 dozer landscaping our yard. Our deepest sympathies to Dodie and the family.
Robert/Bonnie Jenson
May 9, 2014
To the Kohlbach family, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and Prayers are with all of you
Brothers
Bruce Hoffman
May 9, 2014
We will miss you Richie, our family always looks forward to getting together every labor day. This tradition will continue for generations but there will be a major void in this years visit. There is grief on our hearts but there are many wonderful memories for our family and the wonderful times we enjoy when getting together with our families every year
Scott and Kari Ellsworth
May 9, 2014
Sending thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
John and Judy Chauncey
May 9, 2014
What we once enjoyed and deeply loved, we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us. Memories can never be taken away. Our sympathy to the family.
Ed Ciza
May 9, 2014
Very Sorry for your loss ,He was a good guy
Luella Dobish
May 9, 2014
To the entire family, so very sorry for your loss and you will always have a guardian angel .
Ken Fish
May 9, 2014
Please accept my condolences.
Joseph and Eileen Bianchi
May 9, 2014
Our prayers and thoughts are with the family. He led a full and happy life.
Toni Chauncey
May 9, 2014
My condolences to the entire Kohlbach family. He was a great man, and a awesome neighbor. So sorry for your loss
Susan & Dan Metzar
May 9, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, so sorry for your loss
Tim Cooper
May 9, 2014
Prayers to the Kohlbach family,I worked with Dick at Goricks and he was the master with any piece of machinery. All of us co-workers loved working with him. He was a great man to us and his family. RIP my friend
May 9, 2014
Missy and Cheryl and families - I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kim Blanford Stento
Jenny Ramey
May 9, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Kohlbach family. I'm truly sorry for your loss.
Ed and Lisa Longo
May 9, 2014
Our sincere sympathy to the entire family. May your wonderful memories keep your heart smiling.
Sue McNerney
May 9, 2014
Sharon and family,
I'm so very sorry for your loss.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
Cindy
May 9, 2014
Dodie, Rocky, Cheryl, Missy, Dave, Jim and families, My heart was saddened Tuesday when I heard the news. Our corner of the world is a better place because of his quick wit, kind heart, and acts of caring he showed to others. He loved each of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go about finding a new way of normal. RIP
Millie and Elmer Hawk
May 9, 2014
We are at a loss for words as our hearts are saddened by the sudden passing of a man who we dearly treasured and admired and respected. Our prayers go up for you Dodie and all his children and grand kids. Please know you will be in our thoughts and prayers as you struggle to cope with this loss. Richie is now hanging out with all the good people that went before him, including Norman and Don ( Duckie) Hawk. His close friends. God Bless you all, Buggy and. Millie Hawk
Carol Conklin
May 9, 2014
Love and miss you
John Shiel
May 9, 2014
The world is a sadder, lesser place today with the loss of Ritchie. All of us former Windsor Wrestlers knew of his strength and skill. It was always a pleasure to run into him over these past 55 years. RIP.
Gene Kirk
May 9, 2014
So sorry for your loss. Richie Kohlbach was a great man. that I knew all my life. to the family if you need anything let me know I'm hear for you. r.i. p.Rich
Nicole Kohlbach
May 9, 2014
I love you so much Grandpa. RIP<3
Jane Maynard(Hawk)
May 8, 2014
Thinking Of all Of you in your time of sorrow!
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