Rodney Elble

Rodney Bryan Elble, 76, of Gallupville, NY died of a heart attack on Monday, June 9, 2025, while in one of his favorite places, the Adirondack Mountains.  

He was born in Calais, Maine on January 18, 1949 to the late Clement W. and Dorothy Schock Elble.  He developed his love of nature and the outdoors growing up in rural Maine where he explored the woods with his brothers, raked blueberries, transplanted trees for their lawn, ice skated on the backyard brook, and shoveled lots of snow.  Rod spent many happy hours fishing with his childhood friend, Ron Spearin.  He always said he grew up in the best place with the best family.  

Rod served four years in the US Navy where he met his wife, Wanda Lee Hughes.  They were very fortunate to have had fifty four wonderful years together.  After graduating from the University of Maine in 1976, he taught high school science and math in Massachusetts for six years before moving to Knox, NY.  He worked as an electronics technician at the Colonie Mail Processing Plant.

Rod is survived by his wife; his beloved children, Nathan (Carli) Elble, and Nadine Elble (Mike) and four precious grandchildren: Natalie, Charlotte, Eden, and Mason Elble; brothers: David (Susan) Elble, Thomas (Patricia) Elble, Terrence (Nancy) Elble; four sisters-in-law: Eileen (DeVerne) Breed, Alice (Artie) Harrer, Janice Grunenwald, Kathleen Hughes; two brothers-in-law: Wesley and Richard Hughes; many nieces and nephews and a faithful friend, Mike Delucia, with whom he shared many wonderful and memorable camping and fishing trips at Long Lake.  

He was predeceased by Wanda's parents, Edwin G. and Shirley Rickmyer Hughes and a special brother-in-law, Jacob Grunenwald.

Many will remember him loudly cheering on his children and their teams at their BKW school games, where he was affectionally known as "Hot Rod".  In later years Rod's greatest joy was watching his grandchildren's ball games and cross country meets.  The day before he died, rod told Nadine that he had lived a very happy life.

Special thanks to John Dillon Park in Long Lake, a handicapped accessible campground where Rod could still enjoy his communion with God and nature.  We are truly grateful for the dedication and compassion of the park staff, and the first responders of Long Lake.

In accordance with Rod's wishes, services will not be held.  A private memorial will be held at a later date.  His wish would be for everyone to enjoy nature and to treat all people with kindness and respect.  

Donations in his memory may be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the Berne-Knox- Westerlo Athletic Department c/o Tom Galvin or John Dillon Park in Long Lake.

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