Milestone 6: Remembering Rob Patalano
The First Knickerbocker Mile is dedicated to Valley Cottage local hero Robert Patalano 1964-2025
Few people in the Hudson Valley possessed a greater love for Rockland Lake than the man who people lovingly called “The Iceman.” Born and raised a few steps from the lake, Rob fell in love with the park and its wonderful history from the earliest age. Captivated by Rockland Lake’s preeminent role as the ice box to New York and beyond, he preserved that history through ice harvests when the ice was thick enough, and through his founding of the Knickerbocker Ice Festival, which attracted tens of thousands of people to the cold and frozen lake during its 2007-2016 run. His massive ice sculptures astounded visitors as he stacked the 300 pound blocks and then – as if possessed by some benevolent power - sawed and ground the ice away in a cloud of snow.
Rob was happiest when carving ice, which he saw as the most beautiful artistic medium of all. His first sculpture was made when he was but 17 years old, and he carved the block with a meat cleaver only. When asked recently how many ice sculptures he made in his lifetime, he responded “10,000 plus.”
His work was the centerpiece to countless weddings, graduations, birthdays and banquets. He was insanely cool, possessed limitless energy, and loved his two rescued Bassett Hounds Romeo and Juliet. He took care of his 95 year old mother to the end.
Rob never asked for anything in return. Every one of his sculptures at the lake was given by him to the public to enjoy at no cost. This was his form of philanthropy. He was thankful to the end for having been able to share his passion with so many people.
Locals may recall seeing him walk his two beloved Bassett hounds - Romeo and Juliet - along Knickerbocker Road inside the park. These walks inspired our new race.
The Hudson Valley and the world at large has lost an everyday hero. Rob was a man dedicated to creating beautiful sculptures celebrating life’s happy moments.
What more could one want?
