ONESQUETHAW — Elwood Leroy Vanderbilt “passed into the waiting arms of Jesus on April 2, 2026,” his family wrote in a tribute.

Born on Sept. 20, 1927, he was 98.

“Elwood ran the family dairy farm for most of his life, while also hauling milk to the dairy for other farmers throughout the Capital District and Catskill Mountains as an independent contractor,” his family wrote. “He loved his red International FarmAll tractors, and was an active member of the Albany County Farm Bureau.

“After retiring from farming, he worked for Liberty Wheelchair, transporting the disabled, and continued to be a steward of the family land with the help of his children and grandchildren.

“Elwood cherished time with family, friends, and in his later years, going out to breakfast every day of the week!

“His passion for hunting took him on trips to Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Quebec for mule deer, antelope, elk, caribou and the infamous jackalope hanging on their living room wall.

“In their retirement years, Elwood and Doris also enjoyed traveling with friends to many western National Parks. They hosted “Hand & Foot” card tournaments with in-laws and great friends for many years, and in the evenings could often be found touring Elwood’s old milk routes and counting deer along the way.

“Elwood loved Jesus and was a lifelong member of the Onesquethaw Reformed Church where he served as deacon and elder, and donated his time as groundskeeper after retiring from farming until his early 90s.

“His Church family was an important part of his life. He was an officer and trustee of the Onesquethaw Union Cemetery Association well into his 80s; a member of the Golden Horseshoe Riding Club in his youth, 20s and 30s; a member of the Old Men of the Mountain breakfast club; and a founding committee member of the local Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation chapter.

“He also served in many other volunteer roles throughout the community during his 98-and-a-half years.”

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Elwood Leroy Vanderbilt is survived by his daughters, Deborah A. Vanderbilt, Alice J. Zabel, and Mary Ellen Vanderbilt-Domblewski (David); his grandchildren, Gilbert Zabel (Jessica), Benjamin Zabel (Tracey), Heather Noeth (Andrew), Garrett Domblewski, Alyssa Williams (Michael), Megan Parker (Taylor), Sidney Vanderbilt, and Niles Vanderbilt; his eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and “adopted” family.

His beloved wife of 69 years, Doris May (née Pedersen)Vanderbilt, died before him as did his son, Richard L. Vanderbilt; his father, Leroy Vanderbilt; his mother, Mabel (née Loucks) Vanderbilt; his beloved stepmother, Waldine (née Wood) Vanderbilt; and sister, Esther Tooley, as well as a close circle of in-laws and friends.

A funeral service was held on April 11 at the Onesquethaw Reformed Church in Feura Bush with burial at the Onesquethaw Union Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Onesquethaw Reformed Church, the Onesquethaw Union Cemetery or CommunityHospice.org.