This Obituary was written by Arnold Toback -

Arnold (Arnie) Toback, Dutchess Community College Professor Emeritus of History, Government and Economics and a longtime resident of New Paltz died surrounded by family on Saturday, June 17th at his home at the age of 91.

Arnie was born in Brooklyn, NY on December 20, 1931, the son of Herman and Esther (Meyers) Toback.

Although legally blind beginning at age 9,he nevertheless earned several college and university degrees and had a thirty-five year teaching career.

He received a BA in Political Science from Syracuse University, a Professional Certification in Education from San Diego State College, a MA in History from Columbia University with further post graduate work at New York University, DCC sabbatical leave at Cambridge University in England and the University of Albany.

From 1955 to 1963, Arnie was an Instructor of History and Government at several high schools in Westchester and Orange Counties in New York. In 1963, he joined the faculty of Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie where he taught American History, Government and Economics. He was promoted to the rank of full professor in 1972 and retired in 1988.

While at Dutchess Community College, he helped organize the first faculty/staff union (AFT Chapter 1874). This was a forerunner of the present day Dutchess United Educators (DUE) at DCC.

Arnie was the author and editor of the DCC Oral History Project: The First 20 Years (1978) that involved extensive recorded interviews with some of the people who helped build the college. He helped to update the project in 1982.

Over the years he served on numerous professional and community boards including the New York State Library for the Visually Handicapped and DCC's International/Intercultural Education Program.

After retiring from Dutchess Community College, Arnie was associated with

SUNY New Paltz for several years first as a lecturer in history and then as a

volunteer in their Admissions Office.

Between 1997 and 2014 Arnie was a National Park Service Volunteer at the FDR Historic Site in Hyde Park where he gave thousands of hours of knowledge with humor and respect to visitors and guests from around the USA and the world.

Besides his parents he was predeceased by his brother Anthony Toback and

Anthony's wife, Marilyn Toback, his first wife, Constance Doerr Toback and

the mother of his two sons and his second wife, Dr. Sabra Meservey Toback.

Arnie is survived by his loving wife, the Rev. Deacon Gail S. Ganter-Toback;

two sons - Kurt Toback and Kenneth Toback (Karen Mazza); a grandson -

James Toback and his fiancée - Jennie Yudkevich, a granddaughter -

Melissa Toback; a stepson - John Cutonilli (Jill Stevens), a stepdaughter -

Doreen Cutonilli, a niece - Nina Toback (Michael Weiss), a nephew - Mark

Toback (Terri Toback) and some grandnieces and grandnephews.

Arnie's wishes to be cremated has taken place. There will be no calling

hours.

A Memorial Graveside Service will be held at the New Paltz Rural Cemetery

on Plains Road in New Paltz on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Arnie's name may be made to the

Dutchess Community College Foundation, 53 Pendell Road, Poughkeepsie,

NY 12601 or to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail Association, P.O. Box 1048,

New Paltz, NY 12561.

Arrangments are under the direction of Sweet's Funeral Home.

To send an online condolence or for directions please visit www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.