By TOM RUE

MONGAUP VALLEY — Our friend Bert Feldman, well known as a journalist, local historian, teacher, and retired Sullivan County sheriff's deputy, died February 2nd at about 2:30 p.m. He had been hospitalized for several months in New Jersey with heart problems. He turned 76 on December 29. His remains were immediately cremated, at his request.

TRR file photo Bert Feldman at work at his typewriter.

Memorial services were held on February 7, 1999 at Agusda Achim in Livingston Manor.

In addition to being senior editor of The River Reporter, for eighteen years Bert instilled his sense of the history of the Sullivan region to students at the community college. He was a full-time sheriff's deputy who was especially proud of having helped Sheriff Wasser police the long weekend at the 1969 Woodstock festival, and worked in the jail.

For more than a decade, Bert's column, "The Recusant Reporter," generated voluminous supportive and critical responses from readers of The River Reporter. "Recusant," as he explained more than once, was chosen to describe his character: "Persistently refusing to conform...," according to a dictionary. Previously, he was editor of the Sullivan County Democrat.

Bert and his gentle wife Anne have been unfaltering friends for as long as we've known them. I am proud to say that Bert initially sponsored my entry to Freemasonry in 1993. A Master Mason himself, he was a member of Liberty Lodge #521; and was active in a number of local historical, educational, and philanthropic organizations. His fighting spirit and community activism will be sorely missed by all who loved him.

Supportive wishes or expressions of condolence may be addressed to his widow, daughters and grandchildren, in care of: Mrs. Anne Feldman PO Box 299, Mongaup Valley NY 12762.