Robert callaghan
Keywords: Military, Lake Clear, Petrova, St. Bernards, St. Prius X, Ray Brook
Interviewed by Kayt Gochenaur on 03/05/2019
Robert “Bob” Callaghan was born in 1944, at the North Country Community College General Hospital. Mr. Callaghan was one of seven children, and his family lived in a small house near Lake Clear. As a child Mr. Callaghan attended elementary school at St. Bernards, 9th grade at the Petrova High School, and St. Pius X High School for 10th, 11th and 12th grade. Growing up, he had many jobs which included delivering newspapers, watching neighbor’s dogs, and weeding gardens. After high school, Mr. Callaghan attended Paul Smith’s College for a year before deciding to start working locally. Eventually, he got a job in construction in Albany shortly before being drafted into the military on June 22nd, 1965.
While in the army, Bob Callaghan was deployed to Vietnam as a Helicopter Crew Chief. Despite originally having negative feelings about being drafted, Mr. Callaghan ended up cherishing his time in the Army recalling many stories about his service. Mr. Callaghan was married to Sandra Herchenroder, and after finishing his service they lived in Albany, NY. Bob Callaghan worked in a hardware business until they moved back to Lake Clear in 1992. Mr. Callaghan then started teaching at the Ray Brook Prison for over 20 years until deciding to retire.
Bob Callaghan notes the many changes to the Lake Clear Area since his childhood. These changes include many new buildings, people moving to the area that he does not recognize, and social changes that have taken place such as stricter laws and the way children interact with adults. He also talks about how when he was growing up, there were people who came around and provided services to people in the neighborhood, such as delivering milk, bread, ice, laundry services, and more. Bob Callaghan also talks about his book, “Stop, Look, Listen” which goes into depth about the railroad system in the Lake Clear area and his family’s involvement with it.
Interview audio may be edited or redacted for clarity and/or privacy. Audio is part of the Oral History Collection at Historic Saranac Lake.
Interviewed by Kayt Gochenaur on 03/05/2019
Robert “Bob” Callaghan was born in 1944, at the North Country Community College General Hospital. Mr. Callaghan was one of seven children, and his family lived in a small house near Lake Clear. As a child Mr. Callaghan attended elementary school at St. Bernards, 9th grade at the Petrova High School, and St. Pius X High School for 10th, 11th and 12th grade. Growing up, he had many jobs which included delivering newspapers, watching neighbor’s dogs, and weeding gardens. After high school, Mr. Callaghan attended Paul Smith’s College for a year before deciding to start working locally. Eventually, he got a job in construction in Albany shortly before being drafted into the military on June 22nd, 1965.
While in the army, Bob Callaghan was deployed to Vietnam as a Helicopter Crew Chief. Despite originally having negative feelings about being drafted, Mr. Callaghan ended up cherishing his time in the Army recalling many stories about his service. Mr. Callaghan was married to Sandra Herchenroder, and after finishing his service they lived in Albany, NY. Bob Callaghan worked in a hardware business until they moved back to Lake Clear in 1992. Mr. Callaghan then started teaching at the Ray Brook Prison for over 20 years until deciding to retire.
Bob Callaghan notes the many changes to the Lake Clear Area since his childhood. These changes include many new buildings, people moving to the area that he does not recognize, and social changes that have taken place such as stricter laws and the way children interact with adults. He also talks about how when he was growing up, there were people who came around and provided services to people in the neighborhood, such as delivering milk, bread, ice, laundry services, and more. Bob Callaghan also talks about his book, “Stop, Look, Listen” which goes into depth about the railroad system in the Lake Clear area and his family’s involvement with it.
Interview audio may be edited or redacted for clarity and/or privacy. Audio is part of the Oral History Collection at Historic Saranac Lake.