In Memoriam: Balms Van Kleeck

IN MEMORIAM

Baltus Barentszen Van Kleeck 1901-1972

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With profound regret, we announce the sudden death on January 27, 1972, of our good friend, Baltus B. Van Kleeck. He had been a member of the Dutchess County Historical Society since 1926 and had been a trustee for 25 years; vice president, 1959-1962; president, 19621967; and, at his death, was trustee, treasurer and editor of the Year Book.

Baltus Van Kleeck was not only interested in the history of Dutchess County, but he represented a significant portion of it. His family was among the earliest settlers in this region and the first stone house in Poughkeepsie was built in 1702 by Baltus Barentszen Van Kleeck who had been born in 1645 in Haarlem, the Netherlands. In the 1790's, his great, great grandson, Tunis, was purchasing from the Indians beaver skins which he converted into hats and sold. Thus established, the Van Kleeck's Men Shop was operated continuously by the family until 1960. Baltus was also a descendant of the De Reimer family which purchased the now Glebe House in 1797, and he worked for its acquisition by the City of Poughkeepsie in 1929.

A life-time resident of Poughkeepsie and an outstanding member of its community, Baltus Van Kleeck had been trustee and president of the Poughkeepsie Savings Bank, president of the board of Vassar Brothers Hospital, trustee of the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, the second president of the board of the Poughkeepsie Day School, an elder and deacon of The Reformed Church, a member of Poughkeepsie's Planning Board and a member of the city's Bankers Financial Advisory Board. He was a member of the Holland Society in New York, a trustee of the Museum Village of Smith's Cove, Monroe, New York, and, at his death, had just been reappointed board member and vice president of the Adriance Memorial Library.

We will remember Baltus Van Kleeck as a man of depth, understanding, humor and unfailing dedication to his many interests and duties. The Dutchess County Historical Society was fortunate, indeed, to be a part of Baltus' life and it will be ever the beneficiary of his energy, imagination and devotion.

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