Howard R. Gmelch, Sr.

DELMAR- Howard Robert Gmelch, Sr., Colonel, US Army, (Ret), 96, died Thursday, July 24, 2014, at Danbury Hospital, CT. where he lived to be near his daughter. Born in Ridgewood, Queens, NY he lived in Long Island, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma and Delmar since 1957. His career assignments included service in the United States Army where he retired in 1964 having attained the rank of Colonel. During WWII he served as a combat intelligence officer in the European theater of operations with the 12th armored division. Colonel Gmelch attended most military service schools and was a graduate of the command and general staff college and the adjutant generals school. Later assignments were with the chief of staff to the governor's office, division of Military and Naval Affairs; served as director of logistics (G-4) and later as director of personnel and administration. After retirement from active service in 1964 assignments were in a reserve status. Beginning in February 1965 he attended the institutional management course at Michigan State University leading to a position at the Albany Medical Center Hospital. While employed there as a department head he served two terms as the Governor of the Eastern International District of the National Executive Housekeepers Association. After spending sixteen years at AMCH he retired in February 1981, and since engaged in various volunteer services. Colonel Gmelch served on the Board of Directors of the Albany YMCA and of the Albany Area Chapter of the American Red Cross where his assignments included that of Red Cross representative at the Stratton VA Medical Center. He served as master, chaplain and trustee of Masters Lodge #5, Free and Accepted Masons. He was a past president of the "Second Milers", voluntarily served over twenty years as advisory committeeman, chairman and manager of the Tri-Village Area Directory Association and was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Colonel Gmelch was married since 1942 to the late Doris B. Gmelch who died in 2009. He is survived by his daughter Linda A. (George) Guidera of Newtown, Ct., and a son Howard R. Gmelch, Jr. of NM. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Karen Magee of Weston, CT., George Guidera, Jr. of Redding, CT., and Barbara Guidera and Suzanne Guidera, both of Newtown, CT., and 7 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at 11am in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 85 Elm Ave., Delmar. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church beginning at 10am. Interment will be in Bethlehem Cemetery, Delmar. Those who wish may make memorial donations to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 85 Elm Ave. Delmar, NY 12054 or, Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675