Carl R. Voegtling

GUILDERLAND- Carl R. Voegtling, 89, passed away at home on December 14, 2025 with his family by his side.

Carl was proud to have been raised by his police officer father, a motorcycle cop in Schenectady who encouraged him to excel, especially during his three-year service with the NY National Guard. It pleased Carl to credit his mother, who died when he was a young child, for his inclination toward art and music.

Carl tried out many jobs from an early age including mason’s helper, newspaper fly-boy, trackman on the railroad, welder, dump truck driver, rock band guitarist, sign painter, and airbrush artist. He found his long-term career in quality assurance engineering followed by electro-mechanical drafting and graphic design, retiring from Environment One Corporation in 2005. Though he enjoyed his work and his co-workers, his passions were making art and music, riding and tinkering with motorcycles and training and caring for dogs. He had a particular fondness for German Shepherds. But relaxing at home with his wife Susan was what he loved most of all.

Carl had an amazing combination of technical ability and artistic talent– he had a gift for invention and could fix or restore most anything, as well as create expressionist paintings, build found object sculptures and arrange guitar tunes.

Carl loved leather jackets and blue jeans. To his family and friends, Carl was ageless and effortlessly cool, bringing soul and humor to every gathering. He loved life and wanted to live forever. His strong steady company will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his wife of more than 40 years, Susan VanDerWende, his sons, Ronald Voegtling, Carl Voegtling Jr. (Linda), granddaughter Tessa, and two great grandsons. He is also survived by many devoted in-laws, nieces and nephews, his dog Scooter and cat Callie. He was predeceased by his sister, Arlene Johnston, and his first wife Barbara.

A celebration of Carl’s life will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2026, 11:00 a.m., at the Lynnwood Reformed Church, 3714 Carman Road, Schenectady.

Contributions in Carl’s name may be made to German Shepherd Rescue of NY Inc. website GSRNY.org, PO Box 242, Delmar, NY 12054.

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