Merritt Hulst 1944 ~ 2020
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Merritt Hulst – a friend to so many and one of the true “good guys” -- died on November 16, 2020. He was 76. His family says he peacefully passed away at his home on Severance after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by loving family and friends. More from Merritt’s official Obit:
Merritt was born in Ticonderoga on July 26, 1944 to Edward and Dorothy Hulst of Severance, NY.
Always curious, he rarely left a stone unturned. He played high school varsity basketball, was an eagle scout, graduated from Pacific University in Or. And helped build a family camp in the California Sierra Mountains. In 1968 he spent two years as a Peace Corp volunteer in Ethiopia, followed by earning a Masters of Theology from Earlham School of Religion in 1972. For 17 years he pastored Brethren congregations before joining his brother in agriculture research and construction. Merritt was most happy with simple pleasures and always ready for a helping hand or a chance to spin another story.
In 2008, he returned permanently to Schroon Lake in NY where his historical family home was at the center of his heart. There he participated on the Schroon Lake Association Board for a number of years. His love for Schroon Lake was only surpassed by his desire to educate people on the history, benefits, and enjoyment of the lake. This community-oriented man with a Quaker sensibility always viewed people through a gentle pastor’s heart. He will be missed.
He is survived by his wife, Analise Rigan; Sisters: Patricia Galt, Dianne Warn, late brother David Hulst and ten children: Torrey Rigan, Deborah Brandt, Damon Hulst, Miriam Hulst-Forney, Julie Brown, Sarah Wood, Jonah Hulst, Ann Rachel Clark, Noah Hulst, Daniel Hulst, and eleven grandchildren.
More from Mark Granger, President of the Schroon Lake Association:
“We are very sad to report that our dear friend Merritt Hulst passed away on November 16, 2020, after years of battling cancer. We will miss him terribly, but he is at last at peace.
Merritt was an extraordinary person - wise, witty and fun loving. He had tenacious strength, especially when it came to protecting our Adirondacks. He would always ask the tough questions and yet be gentle in his criticism. He would sometimes be very quiet and then comment getting right to the nub of the issue. As a Quaker Minister, he was always capable of seeing all points of view.
Merritt and Analise Hulst have been huge supporters of the SLA and true protectors of our environment. They donated a piece of their land for use by the Town to operate the Boat Decon Station. Merritt was always the first to volunteer for anything educational. He was truly the conscience of the SLA. He asked the tough questions. When I think of him, I picture the man standing to speak in the Norman Rockwell painting of the Town Meeting - standing quietly, but getting the full attention of those around him.
He was also part of the most successful raffle ticket selling team for the SLA. While Merritt would bedazzle folks with stories and facts about our watershed, and Ralph Ocker would sell the raffle tickets for a Hornbeck boat benefitting the SLA.
The world is a better place and we are better people because of Merritt Hulst. God bless him and move him to a much better world with clear skies, clean water and green forests”.
