Carl S. Van Wagenen

Carl Stone Van Wagenen, 84, was born in Hudson, New York on May 1st, 1935,  and passed on from this world and into eternity on November 2, 2019. 

He grew up in Woodstock, NY, where his father, Walter Stone Van Wagenen, was the first principal of Woodstock Elementary School and his mother, Sara Drury Van Wagenen, was the first Kindergarten teacher. Carl was an Art Major and graduated from Kingston High School in 1952.  Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Communications Technician Second Class, where he was stationed at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Maine.  Carl served in the Korean War and was stationed on the USS Eldorado.  He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, China Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Korean Service Medal.  In 2019, he was awarded a Medal for Merit from New York State. He joined the New York State Troopers in 1959 and served as a motorcycle patrolman and undercover narcotics officer. He retired from the state police as a BCI Investigator in 1979. In 1978 he received the Police Honor Award for meritorious police service from the Police Chiefs Association of Ulster County and the Daily Freeman. He went on to work as a private investigator and an investigator for the Ulster County Public Defender's Office and retired in 2005. After researching his family lineage for 14 years, Carl published a book entitled “Jacob Aertsen Van Wagenen of Wageningen, Holland. 

Carl is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Suzanne Costa Van Wagenen of Saugerties, NY, his three children - Tracy Van Wagenen of Saugerties, NY, Jamie Barthel of Woodstock, NY, and Aaron Van Wagenen of Pine Plains, NY.  and four grandchildren - Sydney Baisden of Kingston, NY, Kyle Baisden of Kingston, NY, Hali Barthel of Woodstock, NY, and Sage Barthel of Woodstock, NY. He is also survived by four brothers - Paul Van Wagenen of Woodstock, NY, Alan Van Wagenen of Saugerties, NY, Jay Van Wagenen of Pueblo, Colorado, and Ross Van Wagenen of  Johnstown, Pennsylvania and ten nieces and nephews.  

Carl was an avid golfer, whose home away from home for many years was the Woodstock Golf Club where he won 5 golf championships. He also served the community as the most authentic Santa Claus one could ever come across each Christmas Season.  He visited county offices, people’s private homes and parties, domestic violence shelters, and other area places where people were happy to hug Santa and have their photos taken with him. He was an animal lover and a talented calligrapher and charcoal artist, as well as a folk guitar player and singer.  He had many diverse friendships and was liked by people from many different walks of life - even those he once arrested!  Carl had a kind heart and tender spirit.  His faith in God was simple, private and deep. Carl will be missed by all who knew and loved him. 

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in his name to Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000 Boone, NC. 28607 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN. 38105.

Miss Me but Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road, and the sun has set for me, 

I want no rites in a gloom-filled room, why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little, but not too long and not with your head bowed low. 

Remember the love that we once shared 

Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey that we all must take 

And each must go alone. 

It’s all a part of the Master’s plan

  A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart, 

Go to the friends we know, 

And bury your sorrow in doing good deeds, 

Miss me, but let me go.

   - Author Unknown 

      Author Unknown

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