Obituary of Volkert Veeder

Mr. Volkert B. Veeder, 88, of Barber Street, passed away Saturday morning at St. Mary?s Hospital. Born April 8, 1918 in Amsterdam, New York, he was the son of John V. and Elizabeth Bowler Veeder. He graduated and was the Valedictorian of the Fonda High School class of 1936. In 1938 he entered U.S. Academy of Annapolis graduating in 1941, with credit Cum Laude, and was commissioned as an Ensign in U.S. Navy. Mr. Veeder was a U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII, serving as a officer an assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Ranger in the Atlantic from January 1942 to August 1943 and the USS Langley from September 1943 to October 1945. In June of 1946 he was assigned to the USS Juneau a cruiser in support of the aircraft carrier group serving in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Mr. Veeder in June of 1948 was attached by he Navy to the State Department, State to the United Nations Special Committee on the Balkans as a War Observer in Greece for he U.N. In 1948 he was assigned to the Office of Inspector of the Navy in Philadelphia as a Navel Inspector. After his service in the Navy he was employed in the private sector. In 1957 he returned to Fonda where he was involved in the antique business as an owner and appraiser of antiques. Mr. Veeder was involved with the U.S. and the Montgomery County Bicentennial Committee, served on the Committee of the Constitution Celebration for the Court House Park; member of the Burning of the Valley?s Committee and speaker; served as Historian of the Town of Mohawk and the Village of Fonda; volunteer for the activities program at Arkell Hall; 1972- 1977 was Curator at the Mohawk- Caughnawaga Museum and served as superintendent of the Antique Department of the Fonda Fair, spending many hours at the antique and historical booth. Memberships include, Fonda Reformed Church; member and State Treasurer of the N.Y.S. Archaeological Society; Fultonville Lodge #531, F&AM, serving as Master in 1976; Tri-County Old Time Power Assn. and past director; Coon hollow Engine & Tractor; Montgomery County Historical & Genealogical Society; Charleston Historical Society; Fort Hunter Canal Society, President in 1976; life member of the Montgomery County Agricultural Society; honorary member of the Tryon County Militia; member and past President of the Kiwanis Club of Fonda- Fultonville. Mr. Veeder loved to read, fish, enjoyed crossword puzzles and was a history buff. Survivors include his sister Grace Dugan and her husband Robert of Schenectady; two nephews, John Dugan of Fairborn, Ohio and William Dugan of Schenectady; two cousins, Helen Stanton of Johnstown and Dorothy Starin of Fonda. Mr. Veeder was predeceased by a sister Frances Tomlinson who died in 2003. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 am at the Jackson & Betz Funeral Home, 15 Main Street, Fultonville with the Rev. Christopher DeGraaf officiating. Burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery in Sand Flats, Fonda. Calling hours will take place on Tuesday from 5 to 7 pm at the funeral home. The masons will conduct a service at 6:30 pm that evening at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Veeder?s memory to the Fonda Reformed Church, 19-21 Broadway, Fonda, NY 12068 or to a charity of one?s choice. ?PLEASE sign Mr. Veeder?s guest book at www.brbsfuneral.com