Geoffrey Welch, Torne Valley environmentalist, historian musician and photographer, dies

RAMAPO - Geoffrey Welch, the unofficial riverkeeper in the Torne Valley, a wilderness tucked between the Ramapo Mountains in the historic Revolutionary War area of western Ramapo, has died. He was 80.

The environmentally sensitive Torne Valley, inhabited by mountains, foliage, and wildlife such as the state-protected timber rattlesnakes and snake dens, is home to a drinking water aquifer for millions of people in northern New Jersey and Rockland and the Ramapo River tributary.

Welch held court for decades in the Torne Valley, bringing attention to the area and fighting against intrusive development and environmental erosion. He also was a musician and historian, mixing both with his advocacy for preservation and protecting the watershed, friends said.

Geoff Welch earn the moniker Ramapo Riverkeeper

"Geoffrey was the unofficial riverkeeper," said Chuck Stead, a storyteller regarding the history of the region and Native Americans, teacher, and environmentalist.

"He never got the title or claimed the title," Stead said. "He was interested in protecting the watershed and the sole source aquifer. When you talked to him you couldn't help but learn about the area and its importance. His guardianship was the Ramapo River and protecting the river basin."

Welch died Saturday of cancer. His arrangements are pending but friends said his remains would be cremated and a ceremony of life service would eventually be held.

Welch oversaw the Torne Valley with parental love

Welch, with his white hair and lean physique, was quirky and considered eccentric to some. Friends recall Welch always smiling and positive as he talked about the environment and the environmental music he composed and played on his electric keyboard at gatherings, especially at the Friends of Harmony Hall in Sloatsburg.

The historic building built by Jacob Sloat became added to the New York State and National Registry of Historic Places in 2006, due to the efforts of Welch and other local history buffs. He also lived for years in the historic Torne Brook Farm, which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

The hall provided a tribute - "With Deep Sorrow, We bid Farewell to Geof Welch"- by David Pereyra. The tribute pictures Welch standing on a large rock formation holding a staff and overlooking the Torne Valley.

Pereyra writes Welch was a gentle soul with an oversized personality. His "efforts and interests have left an indelible impact on the area - from helping to acquire surrounding green space, including Liberty Rock Park, to helping save Torne Valley and establish Harmony Hall and the Highlands Bluegrass Festival as important local cultural features of Sloatsburg."

Stead called Welch "a true renaissance man."

Welch wore many hats - curator of Harmony Hall, Ramapo River Keeper, organizer of the annual Ramapo River Watershed Conference, educator, closing the Ramapo landfill sitting atop the aquifer, and historian, photographer, musician, artist, and storyteller.

Stead said Welch had an ability through his gentle personality to get people to advocate and join the cause.

" He had a knack for attracting people to advocacy," Stead said. "Being an environmentalist can be disappointing, a lot of work and not always getting the best results. Geoff mixed his environmentalism with history, culture, and music. He had a lovely way of talking about things."

Stead recalled he met Welch in 1991 and at one point Welch recruited him for a county conservation association board.

"I didn't want to," Stead recalled. "One of Geoffrey's superpowers is he could talk you into doing something you didn't want to do. I ended up on the board for 12 years until it disbanded."

Stead said when asked what he brought to the board, he said he answered, "Geoff." Welch didn't drive and depended on the kindness of friends for rides to meetings and gatherings.

Welch's contributions were numerous. He often wandered the Torne Valley with a camera, had a cat by his side at home, and enjoyed discussing music, including the work of the iconic singer-songwriter Bob Dylan.

Stead said Welch kept his distance from discussing politics, concluding most people never knew which side of the aisle he stood..

Legislature Majority Leader Alden Wolfe, D-Montebello, said Welch used his photographic skills to capture the beauty of the Torne Valley and adjacent Harriman State Park.

Welch saw the Torne Valley as a special place. He incorporated art and history not only into the annual Watershed Conference but also into his talks about the area and into his environmental and conservation efforts, Wolfe said.

He connected past and present by locating images of old postcards and historic paintings of Sloatsburg, the Ramapo River, and other nearby places – some by famed painter Jasper Cropsey - and sharing them with wider audiences.

“He may have grown up in New York City, but there is no doubt that Geoff Welch embraced every part of Sloatsburg and the Torne Valley, working for years to preserve and promote its history and to conserve its waterways and woods,” Wolfe said. “His efforts will reverberate throughout the years ahead and serve as heartfelt gifts to generations coming of age today and in the future.”

Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com Twitter: @lohudlegal

Read more articles and bio. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Geoffrey Welch of Ramapo NY dies, became known as Ramapo River keeper