Ralph Kirchner

Ralph K. Kirchner of Roscoe, NY and Venice, FL, passed away Friday, June 14, 2024 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY. He was 80.

The son of the late Fritz Fred and Helen Kochan Kirchner, he was born April 8, 1944 in Liberty, NY.

Ralph was a member of the United Church of Roscoe; a member of the Liberty Masons Lodge # 521; Board of Directors for Beaverkill Cemetery; Member and Past President of Roscoe Kiwanis Club; Member of Liberty Elks Lodge # 1545; Past Master and Treasurer of Livingston Manor Lodge #791 F&AM Board of Director, a member of the Twin Village Golf Course; Past Fire Commissioner and Member of the Cooks Falls Fire Company; Past President and Treasurer of the IAABO – International Association Approved Basketball Officials, Inc.; a New York State High School Track and Field Official; a Past President of Bird Bay Phase 2 Condominium Association; a former Member of The Good Olds Guys; and Past President of Hudson Valley Chevrolet Underpricers.

Ralph attended and graduated from Roscoe Central School in 1962. He continued his education at SUNY Morrisville where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree. His work life was spent at Kirchner Chevrolet, later adding Kirchner Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep where he sold cars and managed the dealerships for 45+ years until both establishments were closed. Ralph’s children and grandchildren were his world. He enjoyed playing golf with Troy and Brittany, talking about college life and traveling abroad with Hannah, and he could not get enough of watching Drew excel playing baseball.

He had a love of sports, hunting, dogs, old cars, family, and friends. You were never a stranger for long when you were around Ralph. He would light up any room with his laughter and good cheer.

He split his time between Roscoe NY and Milford PA when he was up North and resided in Venice, Florida from October-April. When in Roscoe/Milford he played golf, enjoyed boating on Lake Wallenpaupack, and spent time at his “camp” in Cooks Falls. When in Venice, he was active on the Bird Bay Condominium Association, played golf, and enjoyed spending time at the pool with “His People.”

One of the accomplishments Ralph was most proud of was his service to the United States Army National Guard Reserves Officer. His love of the American Flag grew out of his 10 years of service. He spoke at many local Memorial and Veterans Day Services and never walked by a Veteran wearing a hat without stopping to thank them and talk about their military experience.

Survivors include his wife Susan Flynn-Kirchner, at home; two daughters, Karrie Kirchner of Roscoe, NY and Kristie Gerber and her husband Howard of FL; step children, J.C. Conrow and his wife Yvonne and Kasey Irlbacher and her husband Chris; his grandchildren, Troy Kirchner and his wife Brittany, Hannah Gerber, and Drew Gerber, Kai Conrow, Anderw Taylor and Patrick Taylor and Mia Irlbacher; one brother, Gregory Kirchner and his wife Charlene; sister-in-law, Nancy Kirchner; his former wife, Bernadette Girard; and nieces and nephews, Arthur, Berton, Ernest, Charles and Megan. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Fred “Fritz” Kirchner.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 19, 2024 from 1-4PM and 6-9 PM in the Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Ave. Roscoe, NY.

Funeral services will be Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 11 AM in the United Church of Roscoe, Church Street, Roscoe, NY. The Rev. Christine Lindeberg will officiate.

Dignified cremation provided by Harris Crematorium, LLC. Private burial will be in the Beaverkill Cemetery, Beaverkill, NY.

Memorial contributions in Ralph’s name may be made to Ride2Survive Sullivan County Inc. PO Box 282, Youngsville, NY 12791 or to Sullivan County Veteran’s Coalition, C/O Howard Goldsmith, Chairman PO Box 1527. Monticello, NY 12701.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Ave. Roscoe, NY 607-498-4929 or 845-439-5200 www.Harris-FH.com

Ralph Kirchner is credited with making Roscoe well known through his radio commercials. He coined the phrase, “come visit me at Kirchner Chevrolet, Sullivan County’s Last Frontier, Quick Way Exit 94, Just A Few Minutes from Wherever You Are.”