October 10, 2021
Richard J. "Richy" Vacek
Saturday, December 17, 1955 - Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Richard, Richy (y not ie), Junior (he wasn’t) Dick Babchek, Fledgling, Pops, Pappy, Old School, Little bird, husband, father, brother, uncle, friend; he was known by many names. He was soft spoken, avoided conflict, and loved a joke, good or bad. ” How’s the bridge? Taking its toll.” He was tireless in his kindness, rock solid in his relationships. You could count on Richy.
He loves his family; wife: Dawn Sparkle* Vacek of 40 years, children: Chris, Cara and husband Chris Hanhurst, and son Craig: just married to Sarah Powliezac; and the larger extended family headed by Beverly Soderberg includes siblings, cousins, in-laws and friends who made the foundation of everyday life. The family home for 30 years at 7 Louise Dr was full of chaos and laughter; where folks around the corner and around the world have found welcome.
At 19 he started work at the Bear Mountain Bridge. Richy climbed and maintained this engineering legacy, a Roebling bridge. He worked on reestablishment of the Periquine falcon and as Forman organized a museum in the shop, joining small pieces of history with big stories. This work seeded the Historic Bridges of the Hudson Valley, a non-profit organization of which was a founding board member. His friendship and interest continued long after his retirement.
Richy loved the wild and quiet spaces of the Hudson Valley and spent countless hours hiking the woods and trails, often with his brother, Bird, often alone. If you were lucky, he would bring you along. It was his meditation. He told us he was not a “hiker” he was a “seeker of things in the woods”. He was a member of the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference and for many years maintained a trail in Black Rock Forrest.
Using “The Hudson Highlands, the William Thompson Howell Memorial” as a guide Rich and his brother rediscovered places Howell had visited. The Pitching Point, the Dryad Baths, the Continental Road, The Roses Homestead and so much more. In 2010 they founded Bog Meadow Publishing and republished the 2 volumes of Howell in a single volume to make this work again available. Howell was an amateur photo journalist and path finder who explored the Hudson Highlands in the early 1900’s. You can find some of their work at TheHudsonHighlandsRevisited.wordpress.com
Richy was conscientious with his health. He was a born athlete. He loved basketball and baseball and all his children played sports with him. He did ski, biking, swimming, hiking...he was always on the move, preferably outside. Later disc golf became a favorite, combining a walk in the woods and sport. After retirement he rode his bike from Albany to Buffalo, 440 miles. He also learned to play Guitar and loved to play with his sons and jam out with his friends.
We will be celebrating Richy with music and memories at the new home, 17 Penny Lane, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. After 2:00 p.m. on Saturday Oct 16th. Bring a guitar or a story and join us in celebrating this quiet man.
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