Rudy Schaelchli (Schalchli)

MILLERTON — Rudy Schaelchli (Schalchli) was born on Nov. 25, 1927, in Winterthur, Switzerland, and he was very proud of his Swiss heritage.

After attending The Winterthur Agricultural College, he traveled to Sweden to tend livestock on a small farm. He described his time in Sweden as “the best time of my life.” He came to the United States in 1952 to work on Bel Air Farms in Millbrook, New York, first as a cook for the other farmhands, then a milker, and later, managing and working the corn and hay field. Rudy was also in charge of repairing the farm machinery. It was during this time that he met Jorge Meili, and they remained friends for 65 years, until Jorge’s passing in 2020.

Moving on from Bel Air Farms, Rudy was employed by Mohawk Harvester as the Parts Manager for 34 years, traveling along the East Coast, until the business closed in 2004.

Rudy came out of retirement and was employed at Harney and Sons Tea, full time for 10 years, a job which gave him much pleasure. He was able to keep active and made many new and dear friends.

Rudy was a life-member of Germania Singing Society, in Poughkeepsie, New York. He was on the Board of Directors for 20 years. He played soccer for the Germania Soccer team and sang in the Germania Men’s Chorus. He also ran a catering service for their dinners.

Rudy was also a life-member of the Hudson-Mohawk Swiss Society and everyone relied on him to grill the bratwurst and knockwurst at the annual Swiss Fest.

Rudy was an avid stamp collector, a passion that began with his father, as a youngster. He was a member of the American Philatelic Society, serving as Eastern Regional Director for many years. Rudy won numerous awards both nationally and internationally for his stamp collections.

He was predeceased by his parents, Jacob and Elise (Benz) Schalchli and his siblings, Jacob and Ursula.

Rudy was also predeceased by his wife, Vivian June (Quick). He is survived by his son Rudy E., currently living in Poughkeepsie, and his daughter Trudy and her partner Frank Grusauskas, of Falls Village, Connecticut,  his granddaughter Iris Hermann and her partner Rocco Botto and their children Ivy June, Henry, and Hazel, of Cornwall, Connecticut, and his grandson Sam Hermann and his wife, Lisa Erdner Hermann, of Millerton.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Sharon Health Care for their kind and compassionate care, during these past few years as well as Erin and Kelly from Athena Home Health and Hospice.

Calling hours were Friday, August 25, 2023, from 10 a.m. to  12 p.m. at the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY. A graveside service and burial followed at 12:30 p.m. at Irondale Cemetery in Millerton. To send an online condolence to the family, plant a tree in Rudy’s memory or to send flowers to the visitation, please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com