I Robert (Ike) Wolgin passed away at his Bolton Landing home on September 23, 2025. Ike was 63.

Ike was born in Philadelphia to Norman and Marian (Lebovitz) Wolgin. He attended the Friends Select School; he often credited his Quaker education for stressing critical thinking, respect for others and a calm outlook. This education served him well.

As a boy, Ike shared his father's love for automobiles, the older the better, which continued throughout his life. He also had a keen interest in bicycles and cycling. As a teenager, riding in Fairmount Park conditioned him to ride his bicycle across the United States at age 15.

Upon graduating from Boston University in 1985 Ike worked side by side with his father in the family business, Waverly Management, a real estate development company in Philadelphia. Long before they began the 1985 restoration of the historic Sagamore Resort, Ike had fallen in love with Lake George and the Adirondacks; he had great respect for its beauty, its opportunities to explore, its history, its people. Before having a house on Lake George, childhood summers were spent at Canoe Island Lodge. He learned to sail and to appreciate all the boats seen on water-electric, stream, power, no octane-each suited for a particular job. His electric boat, the Whim, a 1907 Elco launch, was perfectly suited for cocktail cruises.

Ike's interests were far more expansive than construction, cars, bicycles and boats. His strong belief in sustainable energy led him to form Champlain Spinners, which operated the hydroelectric power station in Whitehall, NY. A former power supply to the adjacent silk mill, the station came online anew in 1992.

With the power station up and running, Ike's energies turned to getting people out on the waters of the lake he loved. In 1997, with his partner Michelle Pollock, the Lake George Kayak Co., a kayak and canoe rental and sales operation, opened its boathouse doors. The boathouse on Green Island, staffed by a great group of young people, launched thousands of paddlers each summer. Ike was a talented, patient teacher educating staff and customers alike. He was in his element on the dock, teaching paddling, doing demos and discussing the finer points of boat design.

Ike shared much with his father, but he also learned at an early age "If you can, do" from his mother.

While lovingly caring for his parents Ike quietly supported efforts to protect the lake, the lands and the people of the Bolton Community and the greater Adirondacks. Ike's business experience, deeply researched thinking, calm approach to problem solving, dedication to long-term stewardship, fiscal guidance and governance, and concern for environmental issues and sustainability, made him a valuable, active board member and supporter to many organizations. The Adirondack Community Foundation, Hudson Headwaters Heath Network, The Fund for Lake George, later the LGA, Lake George Land Conservancy, the Lake George Arts Project (along with his lugging, toting and kitchen skills at the Bands n Beans and Black Velvet fundraisers) benefited from all that Ike had to offer.

Ike's deep appreciation for the history and culture of the Adirondacks may best be physically represented by the preservation of "Scuppers" believed to be the oldest gasoline-powered launch on Lake George, preservation of The Bolton Service Diner, now operating as The Sunshine Diner, and the 2014 AARCH awarded restoration of the 1880's Fanita Boathouse on Green Island, now the retail home of Lake George Kayak Co.

Along the way Ike helped many people that most will never know about. Ike was not much of for vacations: "Why leave when you live in paradise?". There were always projects and research; some out of necessity, others born of curiosity and interest.

A good summer day was a ride with his dad in one of their restored (or not so restored) cars to someplace new, a stop at Stewart's for a milk shake, and a cocktail cruise, Guinness aboard. In winter, it was a powder day at Gore, tele skiing in the woods, ending with a beer on the deck, hopefully some sun, and always good people. November was for naps.

Ike was predeceased by his parents Norman and Marian Wolgin and his sister Amy Wolgin Wiener.

He is survived by his nephew Michael Wiener and his wife Alli Wiener, their daughters Molly and Cameron, nieces Aaron and Rebecca Feigen, and his partner in life Michelle Pollock.

A celebration of Ike's life will be held at the Sunshine Diner (The Bolton Service Diner),

4965 Lakeshore Drive, Bolton Landing, on October 19, 2025 from 1-4 pm.

Contributions in Ike Wolgin's honor can be made to:

Adirondack Community Foundation

Generous Acts Fund

P.O. Box 288

Lake Placid, NY 12946

Hudson Headwaters Medical Student Scholarship Program

Attn: Development Department

9 Carey Road

Queensbury, NY 12804

Lake George Land Conservancy

P.O. Box 1250

Bolton Landing, NY 12814

Condolences may be sent directly to Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804, or through www.bakerfuneralhome.com.