01/12/2026
Robert Van Kleeck
Robert (Bob) Tracy Van Kleeck passed away at Northern Duchess Hospital on January 9, 2026 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by many loved ones in his last days, and was faithfully watched over by his beloved wife.
Bob is survived by his wife of over 65 years, Janet (Greene) Van Kleeck, and three children; Clayton R. Van Kleeck and his wife Karen (Lake Katrine, NY), Lynn P. (Van Kleeck) Fetzer and her husband Edward (Rhinebeck, NY), and Steven T. Van Kleeck and his wife Connie (Kingston, NY). He was Papa to eight beloved granddaughters; Nicole, Alicia, Jessa, Erin, Julia, Renae, Kelsey and Aubrey, four grandsons in-law and fifteen great-grandchildren, who were the light of his life. His many nieces and nephews were very close to him and he cherished his relationship with each of them as their Uncle Bobby.
He was a resident of the Town of Ulster for over 65 years. Bob was born in Kingston to Addie (Gray) and Tracy Van Kleeck on August 11, 1938. His family lived by the covered bridge near Rifton for five years, and then moved to Kingston where he and his older sister Karen (Van Kleeck) Ames were raised. His father worked in construction which began Bob’s life-long love of big trucks. His mother was a loving homemaker and a baker of his favorite chocolate cakes.
Bob attended the No. 1 School in Wilbur, Myron J. Michael Junior High, and graduated from Kingston High School in the class of 1955. He was a hard worker and began to work early in life mowing lawns, working at an ice cream shop and starting his long history of truck driving.
He enlisted in the United States Army in 1957, and was stationed in Germany and France. He served until 1960, driving trucks as part of the Reconstruction efforts following World War II.
In August of 1958, while on leave, his sister introduced him to her friend from work at the telephone company, Janet Madeline Greene. She quickly became his sweetheart. The two dated for three weeks before he returned to Germany, and she wrote to him every day. Not long after, she followed him to Germany where they were married on April 25, 1959. They enjoyed 65 wonderful years of marriage.
He founded Van Kleeck’s Tire in 1960, which he owned with his wife Janet as his bookkeeper. His strong faith in God was reflected in his business. Many employees and customers knew him to be someone they could count on for help in a hard time. He led with a steady and calm demeanor, and the tire store has remained a respected business in the community. In his retirement, he enjoyed driving charter buses for Tonche Transit and tractor trailers for LHV Precast. He also served as a Town Councilman in the Town of Ulster.
He was a believer in Jesus Christ and his family is greatly encouraged to know that he is now in the presence of his Lord and Savior. Bob and his family have been devoted members of Grace Community Church for many years, where he served on the board and missions committees. Bob and his wife Janet served with Wycliff Bible Translators then made multiple missions trips to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in Ukraine, Honduras, and South Korea. Bob and Janet created a home that was warm and welcoming. Their extended family gathered together on Sundays after church for many years to chat and have a cup of coffee, and the doors were open to all. Family gatherings were open to include many friends, and they regularly hosted visitors from all around the world. Bob was known by many for his playful sense of humor, and his good-natured teasing. He was often found on his back porch reading a newspaper or a good book. He enjoyed yard work, long car rides, and talking about trucks, buses, and heavy equipment. Cape Cod was a favorite destination for him and it was the site of many cherished family vacations. He and Janet often had picnics at the Town of Ulster Park to enjoy time outside and watch the boat activity on the Hudson River. Christmas was a special time of year for him, and he was known for his festive decorations, inside and outside, and his attention to detail as he and Janet set-up their Christmas village.
He never felt that he was too old to learn new things. He learned to ski (at age 45), golf (in his 40s), pilot his Cessna airplane, race Odyssey cars at the Accord Speedway (at age 56), drive motor coaches, and try bobsledding at Lake Placid. He took rides in gliders in NY and hot air balloons in Arizona, and rode in an antique bi-plane at the Rhinebeck Aerodrome. He was adventurous without being reckless.
He was blessed to spend his life with many close friends, and as Janet reflects on their life together there are many precious memories with dear friends that continue to bring her great joy and comfort.
In his family, with his friends, and in his service to God’s Kingdom, Robert lived a life of love and left a legacy of love.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 17 at Grace Community Church, 160 Seremma Court, Lake Katrine, NY. The family will hold a visitation and coffee fellowship from 9 am to 10:30 am, with the Celebration of Life to follow.
The family will be wearing beige in his honor, as it was his favorite color. Please feel free to join them.
A private service for internment will be held for the immediate family.
In memory of Bob, we invite you to honor his passion for Christian Missions with a contribution to the Grace Church Missions Fund or Word of Life or to The Ulster Hose No. 5 in lieu of flowers.
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