BALLSTON LAKE — Gunther Hubert Bartscherer died Friday, August 6, at the age of 87 in his home in Ballston Lake with family present. Gunther was born in Bruhl-Heide, Germany on September 8, 1933. His parents were Bertha Reuter, born in Solingen, Germany and Hubert Bartscherer, a mechanical engineer, born in Euskirchen, Germany. Gunther trained as an engineer in Germany and emigrated to America in 1949 to join established family. He became a proud citizen of the United States of America on June 5, 1957. He married Ruth Cronk of Little Falls, NJ on March 26, 1955. They lived in Kinnelon, New Jersey, before moving to Cambridge, NY in 1974, where he resided for over 30 years.
Gunther created and owned Reuter’s Engraving Co. in Hoosick Falls, NY where they engraved steel and copper rolls used for embossing. Gunther also built a craft store in Hoosick Falls for his wife, Ruth, and continued to operate it after her death in 1988. In his retirement years, Gunther pursued his interest in the holistic and organic health field by operating a boutique health food store in Greenwich for eight years. He retired to Ballston Lake in 2011.
All his life, Gunther was an avid gardener and outdoorsman. He loved farming and raised Herefords that he taught his children to show at the annual county fair. Gunther and Ruth were strong advocates for their son, Douglas, and the local disabled community. Throughout his life, Gunther lobbied and wrote countless letters to local and state representatives supporting the mentally disabled. His son is disabled and lives in an Individual Residential Alternatives home.
Gunther is predeceased by his wife of 33 of years, Ruth Cronk Bartscherer and his brothers, Erich Bartscherer of Bruhl-Heide, Germany, and Kurt Bartscherer of Little Falls, NJ. He is survived by his sister, Helga Bartscherer Fruck of East Stroudsburg, PA; his son, Douglas Bartscherer of Ballston Spa; his daughters Heidi Bartscherer Hoyt of Saratoga Springs, and Susan Bartscherer of Watertown, NY; his two granddaughters, Angela Hoyt of Troy, NY and Gabrielle Hoyt, also of Saratoga Springs; his great-grandson Edwin of Saratoga Springs and close friend Sandy MacDonald of Naples, FL.
Cremation and burial will be private. Donations may be made to Merck Forest & Farmland Center of Rupert, VT, Gunther’s happy place, and many hours of hiking.
To offer condolences to the family, visit www.gariepyfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are with the Ackley, Ross & Gariepy Funeral Home in Cambridge. www.merckforest.org
