Robert Alain Barendse

Hebron - Robert Alain Barendse, 73, of Hebron, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Saratoga Hospital.

Born on July 11, 1951, in New York City, he was the son of the late Simon and Nancy (Monteux) Barendse. Robert was raised in Mt. Vernon, New York until his family moved to open a restaurant in Manchester, Vermont at the age of 8. As a child, he showed a deep curiosity about the world around him. In the late 1960s, he left high school early to travel through Europe and North Africa, a journey that help shape his lifelong passion for exploration, culture, and creative thinking.

Upon returning to the United States, Rob pursued a variety of interests and occupations. He worked as a builder, a plumber, and all-around handyman. In time, his artistic leanings led him to Adirondack Community College where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Arts and Sciences. From there Rob found his calling in photography, spending over 20 years capturing life’s moments as a newspaper photographer and winning numerous awards before retiring.

A resident of Hebron for the past 53 years, Rob was a man of many talents and deep convictions. He built two homes with his own hands, practiced organic gardening, and spent countless hours photographing, sculpting, writing, sketching, restoring cars, cooking, reading, and playing guitar and keyboard. Whether behind a camera lens or lost in a creative project, Rob approached life with a thoughtful and inventive spirit.

He is survived by his son, Matthew B. Barendse and his wife Nadalie of Albany, NY; his beloved grandchildren, Thea and Rhett Barendse; his former wife and close friend, Kathy Flanagan of Hebron, NY; his brothers, Henri Barendse of Southwest Harbor, ME, Pierre Barendse of Vermont, and Jan-Paul Barendse of Vermont; and dear friends Bill and Paula Krieg of Hebron. Robert’s warmth, humor, and boundless creativity will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the McClellan-Gariepy Funeral Home, 19 East Broadway, Salem, NY. A service celebrating Robert’s life will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Robert’s memory may be made to the American Civil Liberties Union, 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10004 or online at www.aclu.org.

To express your sympathy or share a memory of Rob, please visit www.gariepyfuneralhomes.com.

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