Wallace “Wally” More Rich, 98, of Hobart, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024 in Stamford.
Born on July 2, 1926, Wally was the son of the late Wallace H. and Eleanor (More) Rich. He grew up on the family farm near Hobart. One of his fond memories as a boy was serving as a Boy Scout volunteer at the 1939 World’s Fair. He graduated from South Kortright Central School in 1944 and attended Cornell University. While at Cornell, he was an active member of the Acacia Fraternity, a tuba player in the Big Red Marching Band and a photographer for the Cornell Countryman magazine.
After graduating from Cornell in 1951, Wally returned to Hobart and partnered with his father in the operation of the family business, the Rich Poultry Farm. He and Doris Graham were married on June 21, 1958. This year, they celebrated 66 wonderful years together.
After retiring from farming, Wally kept busy with many projects. He could often be seen cutting firewood, mowing the lawns and “supervising” farm activities from his Mule ATV.
Wally was an avid photographer and enjoyed hiking and skiing. He also enjoyed camping and took his family on annual trailer camping trips, crisscrossing the United States from one coast to the other. Later in life, he and Doris continued to travel extensively. Their adventures encompassed a variety of experiences, such as hiking into the Grand Canyon and exploring numerous international destinations like Switzerland, Costa Rica, and Norway, to name just a few.
Wally was a lifelong member and elder of the Hobart Presbyterian Church and belonged to the Hobart Civic Association and the Hobart Historical Society. He also served as the Stamford Town Historian for many years. He was a proud member of the John More Association and was honored as the oldest attendee at the 2022 family reunion in Roxbury.
Besides his parents, Wally was predeceased by his stepmother Helen Rich, his siblings Margaret and Mary Barbara Rich and his stepsister Alice Milewski.
Wallace is survived by his wife, Doris Rich of Hobart, daughters Barbara (Rich) LaBombard of Easthampton, Massachusetts, Lynda (Craig) Schoonmaker of Glenville, and Eleanor (Scott) Jensen of Hobart; grandsons Ian Schoonmaker of Saratoga, Kevin Jensen of Hobart, and David Jensen of Lancaster, Ohio. He is also survived by stepsister Margaret (Bill) Triolo of Milford, stepbrother Clayton (Susan) Moore of Cortland, and stepbrother-in-law Richard Milewski of Scotia.
Calling hours will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at the MacArthur Funeral Home, 15 Buntline Drive, Stamford. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11 at the Hobart Presbyterian Church, 78 Maple Street, Hobart. Private burial will be at the Locust Hill Cemetery in Hobart.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Wally’s memory to the Hobart Presbyterian Church (c/o Treasurer, 12904 County Highway 18, Hobart, NY 13788) or the Hobart Community Foundation, P.O. Box 44, Hobart, NY 13788.
