Landauer, Anthony Joseph

Birth

Anthony Joseph Landauer was born about 1926, son of the late August and Albertine Landauer. His siblings were:

• Francis Landauer of Flagstaff, Ariz.
• Charles Landauer of Roswell, N. M.

Education

Anthony Landuaer graduated from Berne-Knox High School.

Marriage & Children

Anthony Joseph Landauer married Shirley Schanz Landauer. Their children were:

• Judith Stinson of Schoharie
• August Jeffrey Landauer of Knox, father of Jason A. Landauer
• Joel Peter Landauer of Gallupville
• Jacquelyn Hallock of Knox
• John Ivan Landauer of Altamont
• James Anthony Landauer of Gallupville
• Thomas Joseph Landauer;

Death

Anthony Joseph Landauer of Knox died Nov. 5, 1991.

Obituary

Anthony Joseph Landauer Obituary - Altamont Enterprise — November 7, 1991

Died

LANDAUER — Nov. 5, (1991) Anthony Joseph Landauer of Knox, 65, son of the late August and Albertine Landauer. He was the husband of Shirley Schanz Landauer, father of Judith Stinson of Schoharie, August Jeffrey Landauer of Knox, Joel Peter Landauer of Gallupville, Jacquelyn Hallock of Knox, John Ivan Landauer of Altamont, James Anthony Landauer of Gallupville and the late Thomas Joseph Landauer; brother of Francis Landauer of Flagstaff, Ariz., and Charles Landauer of Roswell, N. M- He is also survived by 11 grandchidren and several nieces and nephews.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, from St. Lucy's Church, Grand Street, Altamont. Friends may call at Fredendall Funeral Home, Altamont, 6-9 p.m. Friday. Burial will be in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. Memorial contributions may be made to the Plankroaders Association, Box 361, Altamont, 12009.

Altamont Enterprise - November 7, 1991

Additional Media

The empty council chair of Anthony Joseph Landauer

By Melissa Hale-Spencer

KNOX—Thursday's town board meetting was dominated by a councilman who wasn't there. Joe Landauer died of a heart attack on Election Day at the age of 65. He had served in Knox town government for three decades. And, he was remembered by those who worked with him.

The councilman sat in their usual seats Thursday around the long table at town hall, with supervisor Michael Hammond at the head. The chair at his right - hand side, where Landauer always sat, a tall lank man with limber grace, was empty.

Hammond set his briefcase in that, chair, then removed it. He said after the meeting, "I didn't want to usurp that space." Hammond, who has been supervisor of Knox for 18 years, recalled how he felt when he first served in town government: "When you're beginning, you search for something you can grab on to." Joe Landauer was that something for Hammond. Hammond, who is 48, called Landauer "a father figure," and said, "He gave me good counsel." He went on, "Joe has always had a solid tie with, the average person, with the person who was in need of help."

Hammond told the councilmen and gallery at the close of Thursday's meeting, "As long as I've been-on the board, Joe has always been there. He was a valued mentor to me."

Landauer served Knox as tax assessor from 1962 to 1966; as town justice from 1966 to 1978; and as town councilman from 1978 to 1991. He was also chairman of the Knox Democratic Committee for a time.

Hammond went on to say he appreciated Landauer's nonvocal participation as much as his vocal participation at meetings: "His silence would ring a clearer bell than a thousand words," said Hammond.

Councilman Perry Anderson commented that Landauer "had a very common and practical approach to many of our complex problems." Anderson and Landauer served together as town justices. Anderson recalled, after the meeting, that in dispensing justice, Landauer "was a person who was firm but compassionate." Anderson said, "He would be a counselor."

He recalled that when he asked Landauer for advice on cases, "He said to think about what is best for the person, and for the community." Town attorney Lloyd Sokolow said, "He made a great contribution to the town both in terms of active participation, and by his steadfast beliefs and principles."

Henry Whipple, newly-elected Republican councilman, who stayed after the meeting as a reporter, jotted down reminiscences, had this to say about Landauer; "Joe was a nice guy... always very

polite and considerate of the people, no matter what their party."

Councilman Alexander Gordon, a hay producer himself, recalled Landauer as a farmer. From 1943 to 1983, Landauer owned and operated a dairy farm in Knox, even while he worked, for 18 years; as foreman of the Knox division of the Albany County Highway Department. "He was blue collar, and a farmer," said Gordon. "His farm covered a lot of ground, with two 120-acre sections. He had everyday problems, so he understood them."

Gordon told the board that Landauer's common sense approach "crystalized things for him and made it stick longer with me." He concluded, I'll miss him." Gordon also recalled Landauer as "a good family man."

The son of the late August and Albertine Landauer, he was married to Shirley Schanz Landauer. Together, they had seven children: Judith Stinson of Schoharie; August Jeffrey Landauer of Knox; Joel Peter Landauer of Gallupville; Jacquelyn Hallock of Knox; John Ivan Landauer of Altamont; James Anthony Landauer of Gallupville and the late Thomas Joseph Landauer; as well as 11 grandchildren.

Landauer was a man with a sense of place. The Knox native and Berne-Knox High School graduate told a reporter in a preelection interview two years ago, I stayed here—been here all my life — because I don't think you could find a better place to live."

And, while he was respected for his common sense, he was also remembered for his tenacity. Councilman Dana Sherman led the town board in a moment of silence for Landauer at the start of their Thursday meeting. Later, he recalled this story about his friend: "We were sitting at Joe'a house one day, discussing who had the most powerful tractor. He had a Ford. I had a Massey-Fergusson." One thing led to another, and eventually Sherman drove home and brought his tractor to Landauer's place, where they hooked the two tractors back to back, connected by three feet of chain.

"We let the clutches out," recalled Sherman. "Neither tractor moved an inch. We sank in the shale 18 inches. No point was gained, but we each had to replace rear tires."

Sherman laughed at the memory and recalled Landauer as someone who could enjoy good times and good stories. "Joe was one of the few people I never had a cross word with," said Sherman.

Sherman met Landauer 27 years ago, when he was first moving his family from Buffalo to Knox. He recalled: "The tractor that hauled my house trailer went off the road. Joe Landauer was driving by. He didn't even know me, but stopped to help. He said there was a county truck in the area. They hooked on to it. It was out in two minutes."

Landauer was a charter member of both the Knox Volunteer Fire Company, and the Plankroaders Association, activities he shared with Sherman. Sherman recalled with a smile, "He missed one firemen's meeting. That's when he was nominated for president. He served two terms."

The Plankroaders, Sherman said, were one of three "Brothers of the Brush" Social groups formed in 1970 to celebrate Knox's Sesquicentennial. The Plankroaders, the Pucker Street Frontiersmen, and the Boxenkill Steamers grew whiskers that year and held chances to raise $10,000 for the town's historical society museum. The Plankroaders kept on, building a clubhouse, and are still, active after over two decades, Sherman said. "They have Christmas parties for kids, and raise money through dances to help people when they need it. It's for fun, but it helps people, too," Sherman said.

Memorial contributions for Landauer may be made to the Plankroaders Association, Box 361, Altamont, 12009.

Finally, Sherman remembered his friend as a good listener and deliberate thinker. "Joe was a person who would listen intently" said Sherman. "He would wait, massage all the information, and then make the decision. Usually, it was what was the best for the town."

And, as Supervisor Hammond noted, sometimes Landauer's silences were telling and could dominate a meeting—in the same way his empty chair did on Thursday.

Altamont Enterprise - November 14, 1991

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  Joe Landauer - Altamont Enterprise - November 14, 1991

Sources

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