Richard E Weisheit

Life-long Rotterdam resident Richard E. Weisheit died peacefully on Friday September 12th after a long illness, in the house he and his wife built, surrounded by the love of family and friends. He was 78. Born on November 29, 1929, Mr. Weisheit was a graduate of Draper High School. For nearly 60 years he belonged to the Bricklayer's and Allied Craftsmen's Local Union #6, retiring in 1992 after 45 years of service. Richard was a member and past president of the Schenectady Builder's Exchange. For most of these years, he was employed as a bricklayer by Clifford H. Quay and Sons. He also did masonry and other work on the side for family and friends, excelling in the creation of beautiful fireplaces and chimneys, stone and brick walls, and cabinetry. A member of the Woestina Reformed Church, Richard served as an elder, sang in the choir and in the JEM cantata choir, and was a vital member of the kitchen crew that puts on church breakfasts and suppers. He was also a member of the Woestina Cemetery Committee. A gardener with a green thumb, Mr. Weisheit was well-known for giving away much of his produce to neighbors and friends, including his doctors. He loved fishing and as the happy captain of the "Proud Mary", could be seen boating around the Great Sacandaga Lake, up until two summers ago when his illness began to be debilitating. Rich loved basketball and baseball. Rich spent many years attending Schalmont basketball games, and enjoyed watching the New York Yankees play on TV or listening to their games on the radio. He also loved to play cards, and enjoyed dancing to all kinds of music. But, beyond a doubt, his greatest love was his family. Mr. Weisheit was married for 58 years to the former Gladys Elizabeth Schmid. He was predeceased by his parents, Henry and Geretha Weisheit, his parents-in-law, Clarence and Alice Schmid, brothers John and Burton Weisheit, his sister, Cynthia Leach, and grandson, Nathan Sponsler. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a brother, Henry Weisheit (Lois) of Lansdale, PA and his children Cynthia Seacord (John) of Schenectady, Allyson Sponsler (William) of Portville, Kim Weisheit Justen (Wolfgang Justen) of Cockeysville, MD, Richard Weisheit (Sandra) of Glenville, Holly Sharron (Daniel) of Princetown, and Robert Weisheit of Schuylerville. Mr. Weisheit also leaves behind his grandchildren Rebecca and David Seacord, Russell, Katharine, Jonathan and Christopher Sponsler, Leah, Rachel and Austin Sharron, Anna, Robert and Coleman Weisheit, Sophia Justen, Ericka Medina and Alissa Graham, eight great-grandchildren, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and brothers and sisters-in-law. A celebration of life, love and hope will be held on Sunday September 14th at 4PM at the Woestina Reformed Church on Route 5S in Rotterdam Junction followed by a reception to which all who knew Rich are invited. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in Richard's memory be made to the Community Hospice 1411 Union Street Schenectady, NY or to Woestina Reformed Church 1397 Main Street Rotterdam Junction. Arrangements are being made by the Bond Funeral Home Broadway and Guilderland Avenue Schenectady. The family thanks Rev. Kent McHeard, the Community Hospice and the countless of other doctors, nurses, nurses aides and other health care professionals and lay persons who cared for Rich throughout his nearly 15-year struggle with Wegener's granulomatosis.