Arthur Erhardt Graulich

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Arthur (Art) Erhardt Graulich, who died on February 28, 2024. He was 94. Art was born on October 11, 1929 in Astoria, Queens, and was the son of Erhardt and Marie (Michaelis) Graulich. Art grew up in Centerport, Long Island and moved with his family to Milford, NY at the age of 16 to pursue his dream of becoming a farmer. Art graduated from Milford High School in 1947, and in 1948 Art’s family purchased their current farm and relocated to Carlisle, NY.

In 1953, Art married Ruth Sturm. Together they grew and operated the family farm, Argus Acres, and raised their 5 children. Ruth's dedication and support of Art's vision was unwavering. They shared a love for each other, their family, and farming.

Art was an active public servant. He served as Supervisor of the Town of Carlisle for 18 years. During that time he never missed a meeting, even once signing himself out (and back into) the hospital to attend a town board meeting. Art was a member of the Town of Carlisle Planning Board from its inception in the 1960s until 2021, and also served on the Schoharie County Planning Board. Art was Chairman of the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors and served on the County Finance Committee (chair), the County Personnel Committee, the County Revenue Sharing Committee, and the County Agriculture Committee. He was the longest serving committeeman on the Schoharie County Republican Committee (55 years), and a member of the Executive Board. He was honored to be named the first Schoharie County Republican of the Year.

From 1949 until his death, Art was a member of the Carlisle Fire Department, serving several terms as Fire Commissioner. He was also a member of the SUNY Cobleskill College Council, the SUNY Cobleskill College Foundation (serving as president), the Workforce Development Committee, the Cobleskill Cemetery Board, the Cobleskill Exchange Club, the Schoharie Valley Animal Shelter board, the Schoharie County Historical Society and the Lawyersville Reformed Church. He also enjoyed spending time with the members of the local coffee klatch in his later years.

Art was first and foremost a dairy farmer and was a member of the Schoharie County Cooperative Dairies (serving as president for many years), the NYS Holstein Association, the NY Farm Bureau, and the Schoharie County Holstein Club. Prior to his passing, Art, Ruth, and their son David were partners on the farm, which was the first Dairy of Distinction in Schoharie County.

Survivors include his devoted wife of 70 years, Ruth Graulich of Carlisle; his children: Linda (Ray) D’Arcangelis of Rotterdam, Joan (Jerry) Kolb of DeRuyter, David (Suzanne) Graulich of Cobleskill, Mary (Dan) Bates of Cobleskill and Lisa (Darren) Rowe of Rotterdam; his grandchildren: Esta (Mike Rizzuto) D’Arcangelis, Matt (Chao) D’Arcangelis, Amy Kolb, Maggie Kolb, Rosemary (Will) Frazee, Lara Graulich, Allen Graulich, Karl Graulich, Adam Bates, Eric Bates, Sarah Bates, Lauren Rowe, Owen Rowe and Hayden Rowe; his great-grandchildren: Scarlett Rizzuto, Violet Rizzuto, Natalia D’Arcangelis, Iria D’Arcangelis, Eliza Frazee and Samuel Frazee. Art was predeceased by his sister Edith Jaqueway.

The family would like to thank Art’s caregivers and Helios Hospice for the wonderful care they provided him in his final days. Thank you also to the members of the Lawyersville Reformed Church for the visits, cards and prayers.

Friends and family are invited to a period of visitation on Saturday, March 9 from 10am –12pm, immediately followed by a funeral service at the Lawyersville Reformed Church at 12pm. Spring interment will be in the Cobleskill Rural Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley, PO Box 40, Howes Cave, NY 12092 or the Lawyersville Reformed Church, PO Box 421, Cobleskill, NY 12043.