Obituary of Robert P. Kerker, Jr.

RHINEBECK - Robert P. Kerker, Jr., aged 67, of Rhinebeck, NY, passed away suddenly on July 10, 2023 in the state of Vermont, while hiking the last leg of the Appalachian Trail.

Rob was born on July 2, 1956 to Robert P. Kerker, Sr. and Joan T. Kerker in Albany, NY.  He was raised in South Bethlehem, NY where he attended high school at Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central Schools with the Class of 1974. Rob loved old television shows and the theater; he often spoke of his favorite High School Drama Club role as the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz.

Rob graduated from Columbia University’s Class of 1978. During summers prior to and after graduating from Columbia, Rob did language immersion at Middlebury College in Middlebury, VT. He was fluent in German, Russian, French and Spanish; in addition, he read Latin. After deciding on his course of work study, he attended SUNY Albany, working as a Teacher’s Assistant while getting a BS in Computer Science. After graduating from SUNY Albany, he got his first job at IBM Poughkeepsie as a Programmer, while working on his Master’s Degree in Computer Science which he earned in 1984. 

Rob met his wife Pam Griffin, originally from Ravena, at RCS in 1970.  Married in 1984, Robert and Pamela shared raising three children, Justin Brisee, Shallyn Brisee and Reina J. Kerker; Rob loved them all dearly.

After working 39 years in the computer field, in 2021, Rob retired from DTCC in NYC, at the age of 65, and concentrated his time getting ready to fulfill his desires for hiking and traveling. He diligently prepared to complete his dream of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail. Last year he hiked from Springer, Georgia to Bear Mountain in New York.

Robert was predeceased by Robert, Sr. and Joan T. Kerker. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 39 years, Pamela Griffin Kerker, brothers Thomas T. Kerker (Rhinebeck, NY) and Charles (Kimberly) Kerker of Delmar, NY, along with 4 nieces and 1 nephew.  He is also survived by three grandchildren, Jared Lowe of Halfmoon, NY and Malcolm and Kaylynn Brisee of Rhinebeck. 

The Family will receive visitors at the Applebee Funeral Home 403 Kenwood Ave. Delmar on Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 4:00 to 6:30pm followed by a Celebration of Life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, www.appalachiantrail.org, an organization Rob felt strongly about.