Gerald “Dick” Lorenzo Hempstead, an outdoorsman who liked to hunt and fish, died on Sunday, March 3, 2024, surrounded by his beloved family. He was 81.

He was born on Feb. 19, 1943 in Catskill, New York to the late Gerald V. and Helen (née Decker) Hempstead.

“Dick was an avid outdoorsman who especially enjoyed hunting and long-range shooting,” his family wrote in a tribute. “His woods survival skills were very knowledgeable and fascinating, a trait he would pass down to those he loved.

“A car ride over the mountain was always a favorite pastime and, after moving north, it became a weekly adventure that included his son Tyrel and Tyrel’s dog, Copper. He was a life member of the Middleburgh Gun Club.

“He chartered his fishing boat, Salamon Fever, on Lake Champlain, and later Lake Ontario. Captain Dick was calm behind the wheel, even in a storm.”

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He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Linda (née McDermott), and his children, Lauri (Robert) Motschmann, Carrie Unser, and Tyrel (Eryn Dumoulin) Hempstead.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Megan (Keith) Simmons, Brandon (Jaimee) Motschmann, Loren (Zachary) Doherty, Kylei (TJ) Reoun, Michael (Brittany Ambrosino) Diamond, Conor Unser, Cameron Kenny, Tyler Lally, Makynley Hempstead, Hunter, and Layla Dumoulin; by his 11 great-grandchildren; by his his sister, Terry Shrader and sister-in-law, Linda Hempstead; and by several nieces and nephews.

His parents, Gerald V. and Helen (née Decker) Hempstead, died before him as did his children, Richard Scott and Sherri Lee, and his brothers, Frank (Helen) and Steven Hempstead.

A graveside service will take place in the Spring at Knox Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Gallupville Gospel Church.