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Obituaries: John Robert Soderberg
February 10, 2009
Master Sergeant John Robert Soderberg passed away on Monday, February 9th, 2009.
He was known as "Jackie", Jack or "Sarge" to his family and friends. Jack lived his life in Cornwall-on-Hudson, in the village where he was born on April 26, 1923. He was admired for his intelligence, keen wit, sense of humor, and ear-wiggling. Though his tongue could sometimes bite, under his famous bushy eyebrows were a pair of twinkling eyes that let whomever they looked upon know his was not a simple story.
Living with his Mom and Grandmother after the loss of his Dad to TB when he was very young, 48 Cherry Ave. was his first home. He roamed the hills and woods with childhood friends and they built a duck boat. Hunting squirrel before school in the mornings and fishing in the streams, sledding across the river from Duncan Ave to almost Beacon in the winters. He learned and loved the majesty and nature of the Hudson Highlands. He had a pleasant singing voice and a wonderful whistle.
From 1943 to 1982 Jack served his country as a soldier in the United States Army. As with many who fought in World War II, he was forever changed by those days. The war sent him to Europe where he quickly picked up a bit of German and a bit more French. He made friends that kept over these many years. Sargent Soderberg served in General Patton's 3rd Army in the 6th Armored Division among other assignments and saw a lot of action. He was an expert marksman. Like many who served, Jack rarely spoke of his time in combat. While we respect his humble silence, we praise his achievements and the work that he did to fight for our liberties. Jack was honored with The Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart medals. His life as a soldier was an important part of who he was evidenced by the 39 years he spent in the service. To honor his commitment his burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery.
Jack married Beverly Lockwood on November 19, 1955, and they settled into an old old house in the shadow of Storm King Mountain. There was an ancient oak at the end of the lane and a brick-red barn, a chicken coop, and later a rabbit hutch. They had four children; Dawn, Zane, Wendy and Ruth and worked hard to provide for them. There were fruit trees, berry bushes, vacations at the farm in Pennsylvania and a big patch of mountain to try and garden. Beets, carrots, bush beans, tomatoes, swiss chard, eggplant, even lettuce (Yes, there were deer then, too.) Organic gardening and farming was the magazine in the house. There were woods all around and sometimes on summer evenings the yard would fill with friends and neighbors enjoying a cup of coffee or iced tea with mint and debating the finer points of any chosen topic.
Jack's first career was as a book printer and he would read all the books he printed. He passed his love of reading and words to his children; when they asked what one of the many "big words" he used meant, he'd tell them to "look it up," and into the den they'd go, to pull the heavy dictionary off the wooden bookshelf. Later, Jack worked as a plumber, and was known throughout the village for his workmanship and integrity.
His search for knowledge reached outside the pages of his books and into the wildlife of the Hudson Valley. An expert hunter and fisherman, he helped to found the Bethlehem Rod and Gun Club, and remained a lifelong member.
Jack Soderberg believed in honestly, loyalty, commitment, and integrity all of the time. These things were black and white, not gray, and a strong set of values guided every choice he made. He passed this on to his children; the belief that whiles no one is perfect, they should aim for a life led to the highest moral standard. Underneath all his bluster and fuss, he was a deeply moral man.
In later years Jack could often be found “holding court at the shop on Hudson St. or in "Grandpa's chair," next to the hutch in the kitchen. He found simple pleasures in a good pipe, a sermon on the radio, and watching out the glass door as local birds enjoyed the seed he'd leave out, turkey and deer would stroll by. Every so often he'd bellow out the screen door at the squirrels that had climbed out onto the feeder - they were wise to listen if they didn't want to be threatened with the shotgun. This loyalty and protection extended from the trees of his backyard to the branches of his own family line. Jack was a complex character, but a loyal friend, and a loving husband, father, and grandfather. We will feel his loss and cherish our memories.
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I was blessed with distinction to have known and spent time with "Sarge" and his wonderful family. His passing from this life is sad news to us all and my heart goes out to Beverly and family - may you all be comforted in the company of each other and through the passage of time. This community has lost a strong piece of it's bedrock and character with our loss of Jack -and we grieve with you.
posted by Bill Freson on 02/25/09 at 9:05 PM
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