Erl A. Koenig

Crooked Lake - Erl A. Koenig, 80, of Averill Park, died Saturday, August 20, 2016, at Hudson Park Rehab & Nursing Center after a brief illness.

Born in Troy, he was son of the late William A. Koenig and Elizabeth Ruddemann Koenig and husband of the late Gail Barbara Cranston Koenig. Erl was a 1954 graduate of Troy High School, earned his Associate's Degree from Hudson Valley Community College and attended Rochester Institute of Technology. 

For the past 30 years, he was a scientist and engineer working on his own inventions and Discovery.  For 10 years he owned a manufacturing plant, GPI and Koenig Tool & Manufacturing in Poestenkill, designing and manufacturing several products, including the Americana Ski Binding, Dyna-Syn Golf Putter and a precision measuring instrument known as the Vernier depth gauge.

Erl took every opportunity to enjoy the fun and beauty of Crooked Lake, and engineered a diving platform that was remarkable for a 33 foot diving tower.  He welcomed sharing his love of water acrobatics with the lake youth, providing a ski jump and opportunities to learn water tricks.  Erl was a member of the Aqua-Batic Ski Team of Halfmoon Beach, and in 1960, was one of 3 friends who marathoned-skied the Hudson River from New York City to Albany on one ski.  An avid snow skiier as well, he drew on his skills and imagination in designing the plate ski binding that he later patented and manufactured.  A mind forever curious and adventurous, he remained a positive thinker and a visionary for his love of science.

Survivors include a son, Charles Hollis Koenig, Monroe, NC; two daughters, Barbara Jean (Richard) Kahn, Ellijay, GA and Hydee Jo (David) Yonkers, Rensselaer; his grandchildren, Erin, Shane, Kyle, Tyler and Dakota Koenig, Chad (Katie), Blake (Brooke) and Sydney Kahn and Jacob Yonkers; two great grandchildren, Twins; Hayes and Beau Kahn and a sister, Martha Koenig (Prince) Platner, Edmond, OK

Memorial service private at the convenience of the family.  Interment will be in Cemetery of the Evergreens New Lebanon.

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