Robert “Bob” F. Callaghan
Robert “Bob” F. Callaghan, age 79, of Lake Clear, died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 at his home following a brief illness.
Born in Saranac Lake on June 22, 1944, he was the son of George and Kathryn (Otis) Callaghan. Robert met his wife, Sandra Herchenroder, on a blind date in 1964. They were married on Saturday, Feb. 4, 1967 in Delmar. Sandra predeceased him on March 25, 2018.
Bob had been employed as a vocational instructor for the New York State Department of Corrections at the Adirondack Correctional Facility in Ray Brook for many years until his retirement in Nov. 30, 2006. Bob served in the U.S. Army 1964 to 1967 in the 1st Calvary 2d Armed Division, earning the Vietnam Service Medal, W/1 Bronze Service Star, National Defense Service Medal, Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and his Aircraft Crewman Badge.
He attended Paul Smith’s College, SUNY Albany, North Country Community College and SUNY Oneonta, earning a liberal arts degree and his teaching certificate. He is the author of two published nonfiction novels; “We Lucked Out,” about his time in Vietnam, and “Stop, Look and Listen,” an accounting his family’s history and connection to the Adirondack railroad.
Robert is survived by his three sons Olin (Shana) Callaghan, Oliver Callaghan, and Bruce Callaghan; six grandchildren Shelby Callaghan, Nolan Callaghan, Rachael Callaghan, Brice Callaghan, Kayla Callaghan, and Ruby Callaghan; one brother Harold Callaghan of Lake Clear;, and two sisters, Anita Boliver of Midland, Texas and Ruth Drechsler of Glenville. He was preceded in death by his wife Sandra, his parents, his brothers Steven, Bryan and James Callaghan.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A graveside service will take place in the spring at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery Lake Clear in Lake Clear.
Friends wishing to remember Robert F. Callaghan may make memorial contributions to Tri-Lakes Humane Society or the Rhett Syndrome Foundation 4500 Cooper Road, Suite 204 Cincinnati, OH 45242 or in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their condolences and memories online at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.