GUILDERLAND CENTER — Robert “Bob” VanAlstyne, who loved his family and friends, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at St. Peter’s Hospital. He was 77.

He was born in Albany on Oct. 10, 1947 to the late LeRoy and Edith (née Roarke) VanAlstyne. He was a graduate of Guilderland High School, and worked as a floor-covering estimator for David-Louis Floor Covering for 50 years, retiring in 2022.

“Bob was a member of the Helderberg Reformed Church,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He loved his family and friends, his animals, and he was an avid NASCAR fan. He also enjoyed watching football and baseball, playing golf, and fishing back in the day when he was able. Bob had a quick wit and a sense of humor that would always get a laugh.”

He is survived by his wife, Emma Kay VanAlstyne; his children, Casey VanAlstyne, Heather (Daniel) St. Gelais, B.J. Rathburn, Timmy Rathburn, and Aaron (Jenn) Rathburn; his 10 grandchildren; his six great-grandchildren; his siblings, Tracy VanAlstyne, Lisa (Ralph) Denison, and Valinda VanAlstyne; and several nieces and nephews.

HIs body has been privately cremated and will be privately interred in Schenectady Memorial Park Cemetery. A celebration-of-life brunch will be held on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. at the Guilderland Center firehouse at 30 School Road in Guilderland Center.

Memorial contributions may be made to either the Animal Protective Foundation or to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society.