Connell, Dow & Deysenroth, Inc.Funeral Home: May 2024

Kurt B. Ofer

1956 - 2024

COOPERSTOWN – Kurt Brian Ofer, whose career as an architect spanned over 40 years and who with his wife, Teresa Drerup, began the firm Altonview Architects in Cooperstown, unexpectedly and peacefully passed from this existence on Sunday morning, May 26, 2024, at his home. He was 68.

Kurt was born January 13, 1956, in Evansville, Indiana, the only child of Cosmas F. and Marjorie L. Betulius Ofer. In high school he was the pianist for the school musicals, attained the rank of Eagle in Scouting, and raced his sunfish sailboat at regattas throughout the midwest.

After earning a B.A. in psychology from DePauw University in 1978, Kurt accepted a job with a local architect, which ignited his lifelong passion for architecture. He then attended Ball State University, where he met Teresa, and from which they both earned their professional degrees in 1983. They immediately moved together to New York City, where Kurt worked for several prestigious firms, including Philip Johnson & John Burgee, during the following nine years.

One idyllic fall day in 1988 Kurt and Teresa visited Cooperstown for the first time, saw sailboats racing on Otsego Lake, and decided to buy property in the area. They acquired farmland with a former dairy barn (“Altonview Holsteins”) and drove up from the city every summer weekend to camp in the barn, sail, and garden. On October 7, 1989, Kurt and Teresa were married at Christ Church in Cooperstown.

Three years later they moved to Cooperstown, opened their architectural firm, and started a family. Virginia, Hans and Max thrived in the creative atmosphere fueled by their parents’ design work. Over the next two decades, Kurt and Teresa completed many commercial, residential and institutional projects throughout the region, several of which received design awards. Kurt created the firm’s website, altonview.com, which showcases a number of their projects as well as Kurt’s blog, giving insight into his creative process.

During the recession of 2008, Kurt developed a rigorous focus, allowing him to pursue his theories concerning two dimensional representations of three dimensional forms. He rose by 4:00 am each day to sketch, experiment with the translucency of watercolors and other media, and read every book he could find on the subject, to better understand various representational movements throughout history. He eventually coined the term “transparent drawing” to describe his method of rendering an object holistically, which he firmly believed was the only way to truly understand how a building worked. His efforts culminated with the publication in 2021 of his book, Transparent Drawing. At the time of his death he was working on a second book focusing on form generation and authenticity.

Kurt balanced his professional career with many lifelong passions, all of which he imparted to his children: cycling, sailing, tennis, cross country skiing, music of all genres, an appreciation of all architectural forms - both manmade and natural, and an acceptance of all cultures and religious traditions. Each day he worked on his improvisational jazz piano and enjoyed playing for himself and others.

In the past decade Kurt and Teresa traveled extensively throughout the world, exploring many destinations by bicycle, piloting chartered sailboats in Croatia and Greece, and hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. A few years ago they achieved their goal of biking around all eleven Finger Lakes. They recently returned from an 11-week stay in Girona, Spain, where they “lived the dream”, cycling throughout the exquisite Catalonian region on their gravel bikes. Fittingly, their final trip together was also their best.

Kurt was proud of his three children, and always made a point of telling them so. In addition to his wife Teresa, he is survived by Virginia G. Ofer, an architect living in Brooklyn, who has worked with her parents for the past 2 years and will continue the firm with her mother; LT Hans B. Ofer, a US Navy FA-18 pilot and TOPGUN graduate currently stationed in Fallon, NV with his wife Valerie and son Otto; and LT Max B. Ofer, also serving in the US Navy and currently deployed aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) near Asia.

An informal gathering to reflect on and celebrate Kurt’s life will be held at 4:00 pm on Tuesday June 4, 2024, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown. Immediately following all are encouraged to gather at Kurt and Teresa’s studio office in the Cooper House Barn directly behind the funeral home for a time of sharing, refreshments and music.

For those who wish, suggested memorials are to the Pathfinder Village Foundation or pathlesspedaled.com.

“Everyone needs a gravel bike!”
Kurt Ofer, Nov. 2022

If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.

Gloria Gladstone Hendricks

1933 - 2024

MILFORD – Gloria Gladstone Hendricks, 91, passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2024, in her home. She had the comfort of beloved family by her side.

A native of Delaware County, she was born January 21, 1933, in Andes, a daughter of Edna K. Bresee and Walter B. Gladstone. She went to school in Andes. In 1950, with her brother, Walter B. Gladstone, they represented New York State at the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago, Illinois. 4-H was a way of life for her family, showing cattle, exhibiting food and clothing and numerous demonstrations.

On July 9, 1955, she married John Garrett Hendricks July 9, 1955, in a ceremony at The United Presbyterian Church of Andes.

Gloria’s first degree was in home economics. She later earned a master’s degree in education from SUCO in Oneonta and worked for over 35 years as a guidance counselor at Unatego Junior/Senior High School in Otego. She also served on the Board of Education at Milford Central School for some time.

Gloria loved travelling, and through the years chaperoned students groups to Italy, France, Switzerland and Germany. A people person, she always loved a good party. In her leisure she enjoyed reading about the Pennsylvania Dutch way of life and Anne of Green Gables. Gloria also enjoyed going to New York City for many Broadway shows. A tenor, she enjoyed singing and was a member of the Sweet Adelines Chorus and also played the piano and trombone. Gloria loved classic black and white cowboy movies, especially those with John Wayne. An excellent cook, she came out of retirement to work at ONC BOCES culinary program in Milford. She was also a volunteer at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown for 30 years, was involved with 4-H and Cornell Cooperative Extension, and was a long-time active member of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hartwick Seminary. Sports also played a big part in her life: she loved men’s basketball, especially the Syracuse Orange and Hartwick College men’s basketball as well as UCONN women’s basketball and coach Gino.

Gloria was a good friend. And as you can see, Mother was a work horse.

Gloria is survived by her daughter, Carole Hendricks of Milford and her two children, Dustin Hendricks of Milford and his son, Luka Hendricks and Dr. Liza Hendricks and husband, Sebastian Aigner of Germany; two sons, Tom Hendricks and wife, Polly of Fairport and their children, TJ, Tatum and Dutch Hendricks, and John G. Hendricks, Jr. of Coconut Creek, Florida, and his children, Jonathan and Dane Hendricks; her daughter Liz’s children, Parker and Blake Protzman; a sister, Carol Gladstone Loeb of Saratoga Springs; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Walter B. Gladstone who died in 1953; her mother, Edna Kathleen Bresee Gladstone who died in 2007; her husband, John Garrett Hendricks who died in 2002; their daughter, Elizabeth “Liz” Hendricks who died in 2011; and a brother, Walter B. Gladstone who died in 2022.

The Hendricks family wishes to express their appreciation to Helios Care, and especially home health aide, Jamie Taggart, for their kind, considerate, respectful and compassionate care.

A Memorial Service with Holy Communion will be offered at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hartwick Seminary with the Reverend Paul R. Messner, Pastor as Presiding Minister.

Expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial donations may be made to Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4636 State Highway 28, Hartwick Seminary, NY 13326.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

Richard William Robinson (Rick)

1955 - 2024

PLEASANT BROOK – Richard (Rick) Robinson passed away on May 16, 2024, of liver failure at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

Rick was a lifelong techie who discovered the field of computer programming in high school in Oxon Hill, Maryland, where he also met his future wife, Mary Miga. The spiritual awakening of the seventies brought Rick and Mary to a communal church in New York City for seven years of Bible fellowship and carpet cleaning. In 1987 Rick received a life-saving liver transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital. This gift of time allowed him to build a successful career, nurture a loving family and enjoy years of exploring his hobbies and interests deeply.

Rick was a self-taught programmer during the advent of personal computers. He started database programming in the advertising industry, working for Interactive Market Systems (IMS) for over 30 years. He was a pioneer of working from home even before the World Wide Web was available. Outside of IMS, Rick designed and created several programs to benefit local businesses and the community. Rick was a Raspberry Pi and Maker Space enthusiast and his latest venture, Silly Goat Creative, a Python learning center and store which sold local products and books, was cut short by his illness.

Rick will be remembered for his quiet, approachable nature and his sense of humor. He enjoyed “the simple pleasures”: playing with grandchildren, reading and listening to podcasts, being an avid Washington Commanders fan, walking, camping, a good comedy film and a hot cup of coffee.

Rick is survived by his wife of 42 years, Mary; daughter Rachel Robinson of Cooperstown; sons Robert (Alissa) Robinson and Benjamin (Druziana) Robinson of Oneonta; grandchildren Emmet Labruzzo; Reese, Ruby, Remy Robinson; Ashton Robinson; and a sister, Kathryn Whittaker of Payson Az. He was predeceased by brother-in-law Thomas Miga.

A celebration of life is being planned for mid-September.

The Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown is assisting the Robinson family.

Gustav H. Pfeuffer

1940 - 2024

MOUNT VISION – Gustav H. “Gus” Pfeuffer, 84, of Mount Vision, passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon, May 2, 2024, at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Mohawk Valley in Ilion.

He was born January 14, 1940, in Hackensack, New Jersey, a son of Gustav and Dorothy (Metz) Pfeuffer.

On July 10, 1959, Gus married Alice Walsh in Teaneck, New Jersey.

In 1976, the family moved from Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, to Mount Vision. Gus and his wife, Alice, started the Hill Top Construction Company, which they ran until 2005. He often noted that the only place he would do any work was in Cooperstown. In 1990, Gus and Alice purchased Augur’s Book Store in Cooperstown, which they ran until 1998.

Gus was a true outdoorsman, and as an avid hunter always enjoyed being in the out-of-doors. For a time he also pulled modified tractors. His true passion, though, was doing construction work, and was very proud of his company that he built from the ground up.

Gus is survived by a daughter, Wendy Tennant and husband, Mike of Mount Vision; his grandchildren, Caitlin and Amber Marble and Kristopher Convis; two great grandsons, Myles and Michael Gustav Marble; a brother, Herbert Pfeuffer and wife, Delores (“Dee”) of Erial, New Jersey; a sister, Ruth C. Johnston of Hillsdale, New Jersey; and several nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service will be offered at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

Officiating will be the Rev. Paul R. Messner, pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Laurens and St. John Lutheran Church in Burlington Flats, which are the two churches Gus was associated with. The Service of Committal and Burial will follow in Mount Vision Cemetery, where Gus will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Alice, who passed December 13, 2012.

For those who attend the funeral and who so desire, it would be appreciated if you could bring with you an item that reflects Gus’s life, which will be laid to rest with him in his casket.

Immediately following the service at the cemetery, a celebration of Gus’s life will be held at a place to be announced at that time.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

Charles W. Lamb, Ph.D.

1938 - 2024

COOPERSTOWN – Charles William Lamb, Ph.D., whose career as a clinical psychologist in Cooperstown spanned over five decades, passed away following a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease in the early morning hours of Monday, April 29, 2024, at Woodside Hall in Cooperstown with family by his side. He was 86.

Born March 29, 1938, in Englewood, New Jersey, Charlie was a son of Charles Lamb and Justine (Clay) Lamb. He spent his early years in Englewood and later in West Winfield, New York, where he learned to love basketball, golf, and the outdoors. Charlie enjoyed spending his summers working as a camp counselor and vacationing in Lake Placid. The family moved to Fremont, Ohio, where he met Lois Ann Deppen. They married in 1957 and together, they started their family. Charlie graduated from Oberlin College in 1963. After earning his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The Ohio State University in 1966, Charlie became the Director of Psychology at Columbus State Hospital. From 1968-69, he was an Assistant Professor of Psychology at SUNY Buffalo. In 1969, the family moved to Cooperstown when Charlie became the Chief Psychologist at Bassett Hospital.

In 1978, Charlie married Barbara Jorgensen. Theirs was a love story for the ages, and he remained devoted to Barbara through his final days. He was an avid boater, and meticulously cared for their wooden boat, Lambcruiser. Together, Barbara and Charlie cruised Otsego Lake, enjoying sunsets, nature, and all creatures great and small. Charlie was passionate about golf, and was a regular at Leatherstocking Golf Course where he took great pleasure in walking the course while joking with his friends. He loved folk music, and enjoyed the sing-alongs at Woodside Hall with Barbara by his side.

After 29 years, Charlie retired from Bassett in 1997 and opened an independent practice in clinical psychology. Charlie retired again in 2018 at the age of 80. An avid reader and writer, Charlie published numerous articles in professional journals. From 1997-2000, he also wrote a weekly column, Lamb’s Tales, for The Freeman’s Journal.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 45 years, Barbara, of Cooperstown; daughter, Susan Lamb and husband, Clif Buell of Apalachicola, Florida; son, William Lamb and wife, Laura Bliss Lamb of Cooperstown; a brother: David (Vickie) Lamb; nieces Tricia (Michael) McElfresh and Lisa (Scott) Stuart; great nephew Casey McElfresh; great nieces: Ivy McElfresh, Anya Stuart, and Brynn Stuart, all of Clyde, Ohio. He was predeceased by his parents.

Charlie often spoke of one’s ability to raise or lower the temperature in a room simply by entering it. To all those who lowered the temperature – the expert caregivers at Bassett, the compassionate team at Woodside Hall, the helping hands from Helios Care, and loving family and friends who supported us over the last three months – we are forever grateful.

According to his wishes, Charlie will be laid to rest in a graveside service at Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown, at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2024, with the Rev. Betsy Jay officiating.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Woodside Hall at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to: Helios Care, Woodside Hall Activities Fund, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.