Above: Department of Environmental Conservation officers provide an honor guard at the April 28 memorial service for Robert Van Benschoten, a longtime employee of the agency and its former director of law enforcement. The service was held at the New Kingston Presbyterian Church, near the Van Benschoten family farm where he was born.
Van Benschoten died on April 11 at the Margaretville Hospital, at the age of 90.
New Kingston resident and Presbyterian lay preacher Victor Lipko writes to the Watershed Post that Van Benschoten's death was felt deeply by the community:
Bob had a long history of community service, both as a conservation officer, and also when he retired as the President of the Margaretville Hospital board. His lifelong motto was that he "liked people", and made many friends throughout the valley.
He will be deeply missed.
An obituary for Van Benschoten ran in the Catskill Mountain News and the Oneonta Daily Star.
Photo by Lissa Harris.
