Robert C. Gaus

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home.

The procession will gather on Wednesday at the funeral home at 9:00 am.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church, 242 Wall St., Kingston at 10:00 am.

Interment, with military honors by Joyce-Schirick Post #1386 will be in Montrepose Cemetery.

In the early hours of June 12, 2025, a loving husband, father, and patriot peacefully entered into his eternal home.

Robert C. Gaus, 94, was born in Ridgewood, Brooklyn in 1930, a son of the late Christopher and Marie Burke Gaus. At an early age, he moved to Jamaica, Queens where he played the trumpet in a dance band and enjoyed years of playing softball.

After the untimely death of his father, when Bob was 16, he took on the responsibility to care for his mother and his Irish aunts and uncles over their years. Upon graduating from John Adams H.S., he entered the banking world until he was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1952. He was stationed in Sendai, Japan, where the "wisdom" of the Army sent him to airplane mechanic school!

Bob returned home in 1954 and married his sweetheart, Catherine Wescott, in 1955. He attended night school at Hofstra College and earned an accounting degree. Bob worked as a Controller at two Long Island based corporations. For many years, Bob was an A.S.A. Softball Umpire. He welcomed his in-laws to live with him and Catherine in North Babylon, always making time to toss the baseball with his son, plan family vacations, and welcome family and friends to his home.

In 1981, the family moved to Kingston and acquired the Frank H. Simpson Funeral Home. Affectionately known as "RC" to the staff, Bob took on various roles including hearse driver, funeral assistant and head bean counter!

In Kingston, Bob began years of volunteerism in our community.  He was active in the Boy Scouts and was awarded the Clement I. Angstrom Distinguished Citizen Award in 2011. In the Kingston American Legion, Post #150, Bob proudly served as vice commander, chaplain and "Boy's State" chairman and athletic officer. He was an Honorary Member of the Joyce-Schirick Post #1386 Color Guard and an associate member of the Marine Corps League.

An active member of the Kingston Rotary Club, Bob received the "Rotarian of the Year" in 2011.  He was an usher and parishioner at St. Joseph's Church. He belonged to the Kingston Elks Lodge #550 and the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce.

Bob's passion for youth baseball in Kingston is well known. He was a strong supporter of the Kingston American Little League Baseball for decades. Bob was also involved in Kingston Babe Ruth, Post #150, American Legion Baseball. He was a huge NY Mets and Giants fan! He financially supported and volunteered for many area charitable organizations. Bob loved parades; he loved what our American Flag stands for and always wore it proudly.

After selling their Kingston home on Wilson Avenue, Bob moved to Mountain Valley Manor.  While there he enjoyed going out for dinners, coming up to the Lake House, and being a part of his family's lives until the very end of his long and wonderful journey.

His wife, Catherine, died in 2007. Bob is survived by his son, Robert J. Gaus of Athens and his three favorite people, Kin T. Albert Chee, Jo Ann Cella and Rabbi Zoe B. Zak. He was a "grandparent" to Honey, Trina, and Maya.

Bob's legacy of faith, family, and community will be cherished and long remembered. Memorial contributions may be made to People's Place, 17 St. James St., Kingston, NY 12401. Wave the flag, go to a parade, and cherish your loved ones… that's what RC would have said!