Wallace Vanhouten

Middleburgh, NY Wallace C. (Wally) Van Houten, 80, of State Route 30, passed away unexpectedly, Fri. Aug. 24, 2007 at Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown, NY with his family by his side.
Wallace was born on Nov. 4, 1926 in Nyack, NY a son of the late Morris C. and Eva F.(Grabedunkel) Van Houten. He graduated from the Pearl River High School in 1944 and went on to join the Merchant Marines. Wallace then attended Michigan State College and graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture and Science. It was there that he met his wife, Sylvia. Wallace taught in New Jersey and Michigan before settling at Middleburgh Central School, where he taught Science for 35 years. Wallace also worked as a tour guide at the Blenheim-Gilboa Power Authority Visitor's Center for 18 years. Wallace was involved with many community organizations. He was a Boy Scout Leader for many years and was the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. Wallace was past president and program director of the Palatines of America, New York Chapter. As a member of the Long Path Hiking Club, he helped map out Schoharie County's portion of the trail. Wallace was an active board member of the Vroman's Nose Preservation Corp. and he hiked, for many years, with the Mountain Top Historical Society Hiking Club in the Catskill Mountains. He was also a member of the Middleburgh Emergency Volunteer Ambulance Corps for many years. Wallace also held the position of Schoharie County Historian for 5 years. He was a volunteer at the Old Stone Fort, a member of many local historical groups and helped develop the Gilboa Museum.
Wallace had many interests including camping, canoeing, hiking, gardening, spelunking in his younger years, astronomy and he was an avid reader.
Wallace is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sylvia (Brown) Van Houten of Middleburgh, NY and by his daughters: Lorelle Van Houten and her husband Ed Hinchey of Manlius, NY and Kristen Wycoff and her husband Walter Wycoff of Gilboa, NY. and his Grandchildren: Eamonn and Marlee Hinchey and Trista Shultes and her husband Dan Shultes and Delana Wycoff.
A private Memorial service will take place at the convenience of the family. Calling hours will be held from 5-8 P.M., Thurs., Aug. 30, 2007 at the Palmer & Shaylor, Inc. Funeral Home, 134 River St., Middleburgh, NY.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmershaylorfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Middleburgh Emergency Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc., PO Box 817, Middleburgh, NY 12122, or the Schoharie County Historical Society Library, c/o The Old Stone Fort, 145 Fort Rd., Schoharie, NY 12157 or to the Vroman's Nose Preservation Corp., c/o Harold Vroman, 107 Davis Ln., Cobleskill, NY 12043