Obituary of Robert Alan Ketzer

SCHODACK, NY – Robert "Robby" Alan Ketzer, Jr., age 46 passed away peacefully Sunday, July 22, 2018 at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's in Albany after a brief and difficult battle with pancreatic cancer. A graduate of Ichabod Crane High School and Hudson Valley Community College, Robby enjoyed anything fast with a motor: HD motorcycles, snowmobiles, quads, and dirt-bikes. He always looked forward to the Annual Hack Attack Tournament, a golf outing with his father and friends. Boating on Lake George was another one of his passions. His friends said he "lived every day at wide open throttle", a characteristic seen through his naturally creative and artistic abilities, an ability to debate almost anything and his encouragement of "those around him to do the same". Those closest to Robby describe him as having a soft-spot for kids and animals. He had a tendency to be competitive, a trait his dad says he had since he was a boy. He was nicknamed "Captain Chaos" by his friends, yet there was no question about his warmth and generosity. He enjoyed a 26-year career with Verizon starting as an installer, later as a cable maintenance technician and underground cable locator. He was a member of CWA Local #1118. Robby is survived by his wife Denise (McCall) Ketzer and his stepdaughters , Jade and Savannah Rodriguez who he loved dearly. He is also survived by his father, Robert Ketzer, Sr., his other mom Linda Belmonte and his in-laws Joe and Diane McCall. He had a warm and special relationship his whole life with his cousin Danielle Lee (Ken) Speanburg and loved her daughters Sydney and Savannah. He is additionally survived by countless friends, who he cherished and was known to be very protective of. He will be especially missed by his faithful dog and walking companion, Tootsie. He is pre-deceased by his mother Andrea (Hudak) Ketzer, his grandparents Andy and Louise Hudak and a very special aunt, Joanie Gallagher. The family extends heartfelt thanks and gratitude to family friends Theresa (Nagel) Sullivan and her husband Jim for their guidance and support since diagnosis. They also are grateful for the professional and patient care provided by the staff at the Renal Transplant Center at Albany Med and the Hospice INN at St. Peter's. Calling hours will be held at the Wm. J. Rockefeller Funeral Home, 165 Columbia Turnpike, Rensselaer on Thursday, July 26, 2018 from 4-7pm. Funeral services will be held Friday, 11:00, July 27, 2018 at the Wm. J. Rockefeller Funeral Home followed by a reception and celebration of Robby's life at the Melvin Roads American Legion 200 Columbia tpk. Rensselaer. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Robby's name to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave Menands, NY 12204 (https://mohawkhumane.org/) or to the Community Hospice Foundation, 310 South Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208 (https://donate.givetocommunityhospice.org)