Ralph W. Odell, Jr

April 8, 1934 - October 12, 2022

Ralph W. Odell, Jr. of Putnam Valley, New York, and Stonington, Deer Isle, Maine, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his New York home on October 12th, 2022. He was 88 years old.

Mr. Odell was born on April 8th, 1934, in Shrub Oak, New York, to ever-loving parents Ralph W. Odell (Sr), and Mabelle Morley. Ralph Jr. had a happy childhood, growing up among a myriad of family and friends in the close and caring Shrub Oak community. He attended Shrub Oak Central School 1st through 12th grade. He went on to earn a BS from Edinboro (PA) University, and an MS from Long Island University.

Ralph was predeceased by the love of his life, Ann Gross, his closest friend, Marty Hugh Maguire, and his sister, Anne Mae. Ralph is survived by his loving son, Eben, of Stonington, Maine, daughter-in-law, Judy, three grandsons, Terence, Jacob, and Zack; great-grandchildren, Lana, Neil, and Colby, nieces Virginia and Annette, and nephews, Michael, Robert and children.

Ralph, Jr, was a Librarian in the Garrison Union Free School district in Garrison, New York, where he also taught environmental studies and social studies. He inspired 7th graders with a yearly, vigorous climb up the face of Anthony’s Nose, high above the Bear Mountain Bridge to watch migrating hawks, every autumn. Many of his former students remained among his closest friends throughout his lifetime.

Mr. Odell had a lifelong interest in the study of birds. In his more formative years, as a high school student he assisted in forming a Junior Audubon Club. He went on to serve as a field trip leader, board member, and President of the Bedford Audubon Society in Westchester County, he was a founder of  Putnam Highlands Audubon Society, based in Cold Spring, New York, and eventually served on the National Audubon Society’s board of directors. He also served as Co-Chair of the Arthur W. butler Sanctuary in Bedford, Westchester County, New York.

In his teen years, he took an active role in achieving state protection for birds of prey, and had some lively debates and correspondence with state senators on the topic. Always interested in land preservation, Ralph Jr. quietly maneuvered preservation of the Manitou Marsh, and convinced friends to donate 50 acres of wetlands to the National Audubon Society, both pieces of land being considered fragile and critically endangered tidal wetlands along the Hudson River in Putnam County.

With Ralph’s lifelong devotion to environmental conservation and preservation of natural open spaces, and now in retirement, Ralph was asked by then Governor George Pataki to become New York State’s Director of Natural Resource Protection for New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, where he worked closely with the Governor and Commissioners Bernadette Castro and Carol Ash in the purchase and protection of over a million acres of land for all New Yorkers to enjoy. Ralph then went on to be nominated by Governor Cuomo to become a Commissioner in the New York State Park’s system’s Taconic region commission, where he served until very recently.

Ralph, Jr. was always mindful of his New York State roots in the region, noting that his ancestors arrived in New York in the 1630’s on his father’s side, and to Putnam County in 1757 on his mother’s side. He was an American proud of his patriot heritage.

A memorial service and celebration of Ralph’s life will take place at the Taconic Outdoor Education Center, 75 Mountain Laurel Lane, Cold Spring, New York, November 13th, 2pm-5pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Marty Maguire Scholarship Fund, c/o Putnam Highlands Audubon Society, POB 292, Cold Spring, NY 10516. (Checks made payable to Putnam Highlands Audubon Society, in the memo space please insert: ’MMAS’).