Catskill Neighbors is an all Volunteer tri-county, community based organization that was formed in 2011 by Rev. Ralph Darmstadt of Fleischmanns, NY. In October of 2021 Catskill Neighbors, Inc. became a nonprofit, Section 501(c)(3) Organization. Our first Annual board of Directors Meeting was held on May 18th, 2022. At that meeting Ralph Darmstadt was elected President, Gary Kusen was elected Vice-President, Patricia Ruane, Ed.D. was elected Secretary and Ruth Wickline was elected Treasurer. At a subsequent Board meeting held on November 13, 2023, Ralph Darmstadt resigned as our President and the following Directors were established
Rev. Ralph Darmstadt – President Emeritus (1930 – 2024)
Rev. Ralph Darmstadt, a retired Methodist Minister, served as a pillar in his community for over half a century. He presided over church and social services from Kingston to Fleischmanns and beyond after first ministering to congregations in Iowa (1957) and New York City, starting in 1961. There he was instrumental in founding the first Anti-Poverty and Head Start programs in New York City. Locally, Rev. Darmstadt created the Darmstadt Shelter for the Homeless in Kingston and later, Catskill Neighbors, Inc. When not serving the community, Rev. D raised prize horses, pursued many artistic endeavors, and performed with Catskill Ballet Theatre. A renaissance man of many talents, Rev. D. was a life-long inspiration.
Patricia Ruane, Ed.D. – President
Patricia Collins Ruane has been a Catskill Neighbors, Inc. Volunteer and Volunteer Facilitator for Ulster County since 2015. Patricia represents the organization at public gatherings, helps secure grants, works in partnership with the Ulster County Office for Aging to bring programs and services to our aging neighbors, and interfaces with local agencies and organizations to advocate for the needs of elders in our tri-county mountain community. She also manages Catskill Neighbors’ FREE RIDES Program to help residents in remote areas of our community get to medical appointments. A retired but not retiring educator and administrator, Patricia holds a doctorate (Ed.D) from Harvard. In her ongoing professional life, she specializes in developing, writing about, and mentoring leaders who are not the usual suspects. She is an experienced public sector leader who uses metaphor and storytelling to transform people and organizations. Her Catskill Neighbors focus is building inter-agency cooperation, plus training and supporting our volunteers. She is pleased to bring her energy and skill set to the wonderful team of leaders and volunteers who make Catskill Neighbors a successful and joyful community asset.
Gary Kusen – Vice-President
Gary has been a visitor to the Catskills for over half a century. He moved here full-time in 2014 upon his retirement from a career in design and construction management. Gary started as a Volunteer with Catskill Neighbors in 2015 and joined the Steering Committee shortly thereafter. He focuses on connecting volunteers with seniors in Delaware County and Greene County where they join with Ulster County. Calling on a skill set developed while working at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Gary heads an effort to extend greatly needed public transportation into Delaware County from the Ulster County Area Transit system. In addition to volunteering for Catskill Neighbors, Gary is on the Town of Middletown Zoning Board of Appeals, he is also the Chairman of the Fire Commisioners for Middletown Fire District No. 1 and a Trustee for both the Bedell Cemetery and the Clovesville Cemetery. Gary enjoys the beauty of the Catskills, going to classic car shows, hunting, fishing and vegetable gardening. He resides in Fleischmanns, NY with his wife.
Joyce Greenberg – Secretary
Following retirement at age 85, after a career in business and the Arts, Joyce became acutely aware of the challenging issues facing seniors as they age in place. This impelled her to become a founding member of Catskill Neighbors, Inc., to address and help solve multiple pressing needs of the elderly for home healthcare, transportation, social contact and personal safety. For the past few years she has also served as a member of the Advisory Council to the Ulster County Office for the Aging, and currently is President of the Council.
Ruth Wickline – Treasurer
Ruth is a retired elementary school teacher who moved to the Catskills in the spring of 2014. Ruth joined Catskill Neighbors in 2015 as a volunteer working with several seniors in need. Ruth has been instrumental in coordinating gatherings for both our volunteers and seniors. Ruth joined the Steering Committee and became treasurer of the organization in 2020. In addition to her volunteer work with Catskill Neighbors, Ruth enjoys crafting, gardening, traveling and spending time visiting her grown children and grandchildren. She resides with her husband in Fleischmanns, NY.
The Rev. Ralph Darmstadt, our Founder and first President of Catskill Neighbors, Inc. recently passed away peacefully after a brief illness…Here’s a link to a wonderful video Ralph made ten years ago of his own eulogy…It’s Rev. Darmstadt at his finest…Enjoy...
Brett Barry of Kaatscast interviewed Catskill Neighbors and produced a Wonderful blog on what we do…Please have a listen… https://www.kaatscast.com/catskill-neighbors/
