Robert C. Van Pelt

Thompson Ridge, NY

Robert Charles Van Pelt, a 53 year resident of Thompson Ridge, NY, passed away at the age of 84 on Monday, March 24th, 2025.

Bob was born in Orange, New Jersey to John and Mary Van Pelt on October 23rd, 1940. He was predeceased by a brother, Raymond. Bob grew up in Roseland, New Jersey and spent many years working at Becker’s Farm.

Bob married Joan Van Pelt (Batta) on September 14, 1961 in Caldwell, New Jersey. Together they raised 5 children: John, Tom, Mike, Vikki and Kim.

Bob was an avid hunter and outdoors man and enjoyed many years traveling with Joan throughout the country in their motor home.

Bob retired in 2013 after 45 years at Short Line Bus Company: first a driver, then dispatcher, and eventually operations manager. He was also a volunteer firefighter with the Pine Bush Volunteer Fire Department.

Bob is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joan. His son John and his wife Beth (Otisville, NY), their children Shannon (Otisville, NY) and Jack (White Plains, NY). Son Tom and his wife Tracey (DeSoto, Wisconsin), their children Alex and his wife Shannon and their son Rowan (Prairie Du Chien, WI) and Jake and his wife Dallas (Westby, WI). Son Mike and his wife Terri (Montgomery, NY), their children Morgan and her husband Anthony Athanas and their children Luke and Cal (Pine Bush, NY), Paige and her husband Bobby Matuszewski and their daughter Hailee (Westtown, NY), Madison (Montgomery, NY) and Nicole (Montgomery, NY). Daughter Vikki Bressler and her husband Tim Bressler (Washington, MI), their children Helen and her fiancee Kenny Richardson and their daughter Amelia (Macomb, Michigan) and Stephen and his fiancee Kayla Yax (Washington, MI). Daughter Kim Murphy and her husband Tom Murphy and their children Jack and Ryan (Middletown, NY).

Bob was sadly predeceased by his grandchild, TSGT Christian Bressler of North Pole, Alaska.

The family will receive visitors on Monday, March 31, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 pm at William M. Gagan Funeral Home, 1525 Burlingham Rd., Pine Bush, NY.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 90 Euclid Ave., Middletown, NY at 10AM with a burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Middletown.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: Christian Bressler Scholarship Fund at victoryhillth.org