Donald T. Bartles Jr., a civic leader in Pine Plains, Vietnam veteran, and lifelong advocate for his community, died of lung cancer at his home in Pine Plains on Dec. 22. He was 79.
Born on March 18, 1945, in Flushing, Queens, Bartles was the eldest child of Donald and Gelletia (Tompkins) Bartles. His family later moved to Dutchess County, settling on the shores of Silver Lake, near Milan. After graduating from Rhinebeck High School in 1962, he earned a degree in mathematics from the State University of New York at Albany.
Bartles married Kathleen Freiberg In 1966. She survives him. That same year, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in Vietnam, where he witnessed the war firsthand, including the widespread use of Agent Orange, which he later recalled with vivid detail.
Following his military service, Bartles and his wife settled in Pine Plains, where they raised their two sons, Ted and Carl, who also survive him. He established Bartles Tree Service, before transitioning to a role as a right-of-way engineer for the Dutchess County Highway Department.
Bartles served on the Pine Plains Planning Board for 37 years. He also served as a member of the Town Board, and as deputy supervisor of the town.
“When I took office as Town Supervisor in 2018, I asked Don to serve as my deputy,” recalled Pine Plains resident and former Town Supervisor Darrah Cloud. “Thankfully, he said yes. He was a real hero of mine, with an encyclopedic knowledge of trees, engineering, and Pine Plains itself.”
Bartles was also a past president and longtime sight committee chairman of the Pine Plains Lions Club. His work in bringing vision screening programs to local schools was hailed as “legendary” by Douglas W. Hart, a Pine Plains veterinarian and fellow Lions Club member.
“Don didn’t just sit at meetings — he did the work,” Dr. Hart said. “He was the best member of the Lions Club there ever was.”
Bartles and his wife participated in international exchange programs, hosting Chinese teachers and promoting cultural understanding through the Pine Plains Central School District.
In addition to his wife, Kathleen, Bartles is survived by his sons, Ted (Angie) Bartles of Queens and Carl Bartles of Clinton Corners; his siblings, William (Judy) Bartles of Brevard, N.C.; James Bartles; Jeanne Stirzel; and Stephen (Peta) Bartles, all of Clinton; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will take place on Jan. 14 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Peck & Peck Funeral Homes, 7749 S. Main Street, Pine Plains. A funeral service, officiated by the Rev. Jan Brooks, will follow at 4:30 p.m. and conclude with a tribute by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family asked that contributions in Bartles’ memory be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church (P.O. Box 271, Salt Point, NY 12578) or New Horizons Resources (123 West Rd., Pleasant Valley, NY 12569).