Robert Bareis Sr., founder of Altamont Spray Welding, was a devoted family man. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, at the Albany County Nursing Home. He was 83 years old.

“Bob was a hard worker, but most of all he was the best Dad and Papa we could ask for,” his family wrote in a tribute.

“Bob served in the United States Navy on the USS Snyder,” his family wrote. “He married his wife, Constance Moraway, in 1958. After his service time in Virginia, Bob and Connie settled in Altamont where he was self-employed doing excavating along with heavy equipment repairs.

“He was the founder of Altamont Spray Welding and held a patent for a Portable Line Bore Machine. After retirement, they lived in Waterford, New York where Bob created Lock One Marina on the Hudson River.

“A few years later, they moved back to the Hilltowns where his family and many friends were. Bob would spread his creativity at every home he lived at with his love of plants and flowers, using unique landscaping and handmade yard art like waterfalls, castles, lighthouses and rock walls, just to name a few.

“In his later years, he kept himself busy by making ‘Bob’s Lawn Bugs’ out of recycled material. He had a one-of-a-kind personality, and loved to joke and tease.”

****

Robert Bareis Sr. is survived by his five children, Robert Bareis Jr., Connie Campbell and her husband, Tim, Cathy Nido and her husband, Ray, Cindy Arno, John Bareis and his wife, Jen; 13 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He is also survived by a brother, Fredrick.

His wife, Connie, died in 2012. He missed her every day, his family wrote. His parents, John and Ester Bareis, also died before him, as did a brother John.

“The family would like to acknowledge and thank Bob’s son-in-law, Tim, for the love, support, and home care that he provided during Dad’s decline,” his family wrote. “That personal care allowed Dad many more days at home with comfort and dignity.

“There will be no services. Bob has elected to donate his body to the Albany Medical College Anatomical Gift Program.”

Mourners may leave condolences online at altamontenterprise.com/milestones.