Rev. Dr. Alan C. Rhodes (STH’76)
This obituary was originally published by the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home Inc. on July 24, 2021.
Guilderland, NY – 
The Rev. Dr. Alan C. Rhodes died on July 24, 2021 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, NY.
Dr. Rhodes was born July 25, 1951 in Plattsburgh, NY, the son of Charles Oliver Rhodes and Lillian (Cromie) Rhodes. Rev. Rhodes grew up in Saranac, NY and graduated from Saranac Central School. He then went on to complete degrees at Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA (BA); Boston University, School of Theology, Boston MA (M. Div); and Bangor Theological Seminary, Bangor, ME (D. Min.). He also earned credentials in Certified Pastoral Education, which he used as the Chaplain at Wesley Health Care Center for 9 years.
Dr. Rhodes began his ministry as a pastor of the Troy Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC), serving as the Associate Pastor of the Shenendehowa UMC in Clifton Park, NY; and then served as Pastor at Fort Plain and Freysbush UMCs in Fort Plain, NY; St. Paul’s UMC in Castleton-on-Hudson, NY; Grace UMC in Ravena, NY; North Main Street UMC in Gloversville, NY; Mechanicville UMC in Mechanicville, NY and retired from Esperance-Sloansville UMC in Esperance, NY.
During his ministry, Dr. Rhodes was active in local Church, District and Conference work, having served as: Conference Director of Christian Education, Chair of Council on Finance and Administration, Vice-President of the Board of Trustees of Troy Annual Conference, Registrar for Deacons and Diaconal Ministry of the Board of Ordained Ministry; and as a member of several other boards, agencies and committees over the years.
Pastor Alan was also active in the larger communities in which he served. He served two separate terms as a member of the board of CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services in Clifton Park; as a co-founder and chair of the RCS Task Force Against Domestic Violence in Ravena, NY; as Chair of the Fulton County Domestic Violence Task Force in Gloversville, NY; and as a member of many local community organizations. Dr. Rhodes was Past President of both the former Fort Plain Rotary Club and the Champlain Canal Rotary Club in Mechanicville, NY. He also served on the Board of Mediation Matters.
Alan was married to Holly Craver from 1975 to 1987, He is survived by his wife of 33 years, the former Nancy Lichtenhan of Guilderland, NY, his loving pets, Benjigirl and Koji; as well as a loving family, friends and neighbors.
He was predeceased by his father and mother.
Calling Hours will be held at the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave, Rotterdam, NY, on Tuesday July 27, 5-8pm (Tonight).
Funeral will be held at the McKownville UMC, 1565 Western Ave, Albany, NY, Wednesday, July 28th at 1pm.
Burial will be at Saranac Independent Cemetery on Thursday, July 29th.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that you remember the life of Dr. Rhodes by making a contribution to a local Domestic Violence program; to CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services in Clifton Park, NY 12065; Guilderland EMS, Station One, 200 Center Drive, Albany, NY 12203, or any health organization.
A big thank you to all those who cared for Alan at St. Peter’s Hospital from the ER, to ICU, to 4Gabe. Also to Town of Guilderland EMS. You were there when we needed you. You were all so good and kind to both Alan and his wife.