Kyle Van De Water, Army veteran and former congressional candidate, found dead

Kyle Van De Water and Antonio Delgado were rivals competing for the same job.

Van De Water, a U.S. Army veteran and lifelong Dutchess County resident, sought to unseat the freshman Democrat Congressman to represent the 19th district.

But, along the way to last November's general election, the two “shared a number of conversations about family and country, and I walked away from each one knowing that he had a profound love for both," Delgado said in a statement Tuesday night.

Hours earlier, Van De Water was found by Town of Poughkeepsie police in the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. The officers were responding to a report of a man with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Van De Water was pronounced dead soon after.

The 41-year-old married father of four was found less than two weeks after abruptly ending a planned second congressional run. 

Van De Water served in Afghanistan and was with the Judge Advocate General’s Corps during his eight years in the Army.

The Spackenkill High School grad turned northern Dutchess resident is being remembered for his commitment to his country and the communities in which he lived, as well as his love of family.

His death comes as the issue of veteran and active-duty military suicide is in the public spotlight, as is the impact of the U.S. ending its 20-year war in Afghanistan.

“I know he will be immensely missed, and I’m praying for all who loved him — his friends, fellow soldiers, and family,” said Delgado, who defeated Van De Water in November, though the Republican announced in July plans to run again for a congressional seat.

Michael McCormack, chair of the Dutchess County Republican Committee, called Van De Water “a hero” who did so much for the local area.

“The loss of Kyle Van De Water to the community is tragic,” he said. “It’s hard to put into words how good a guy Kyle was. He was a son of Dutchess County and he will be so very missed.”

County Executive Marc Molinaro said he got to know Van De Water during his run.

“My heart is broken for Kyle’s children and family. My prayers are with them as they attempt to come to grips with this absolute tragedy,” Molinaro said in a statement. “Kyle was a war hero who put his life and well-being on the line for his country. We owe him, his family, and all of our brave service men and women everything for the sacrifices they have made.”

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs' 2020 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, 17.6 veterans each day took their own lives in 2018, a number that was roughly flat with the previous year. 

Suicide has been increasing in the military over the past three years. In 2018, 326 active-duty troops died by suicide. That number increased to 350 in 2019 and 385 in 2020, according to Pentagon figures.

While it is not yet confirmed Van De Water took his own life, Molinaro and Delgado each referenced assistance available to veterans in their statements.

“Kyle’s death is tragically felt not only on an individual level, but also nationally, as far too many veterans across our country are going without the support and care that their service to our great land undoubtedly necessitates,” Delgado said, including the number for a veterans crisis line, 1-800-273-8255.

Molinaro reminded veterans “who struggle upon returning home, and anyone who may be struggling with this news” rgar help is available, and included contact information for the county’s helpline at 845-485-9700, and the address for its 24-hour Stabilization Center at 230 North Road, Poughkeepsie.

'Huge motor,' committed citizen

In a statement, town police said they responded to the cemetery around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday to the report of "an unconscious male with a reportedly self-inflicted gunshot wound." Van De Water was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

Town police are investigating the incident; police did not take questions beyond the statement.

Van De Water grew up in Poughkeepsie and graduated from Spackenkill High School in 1998. He joined the U.S. Army in 2006. In 2011 he earned the Bronze Star during his service in Afghanistan, before earning the Meritorious Service Medal and an honorable discharge in 2014, according to his website. He held the rank of Major, continuing to serve in the Army Reserves JAG Corps.

Tom Zurhellen — a Navy veteran, professor at Marist College and local veteran advocate — said he had met Van De Water a few times. Zurhellen remembered him for his “huge motor” as he worked hard to help veterans.

“And just his attitude was very gregarious,” Zurhellen said.

A 2005 graduate of Albany Law School, Van De Water was an attorney at Corbally, Gartland and Rappleyea in Poughkeepsie, according to his Linkedin Page, who settled in Millbrook and served as a village trustee.

"Kyle was an active member of the Millbrook area," Millbrook Mayor Tim Collopy said. "As a village trustee, he provided a valuable perspective to board issues with his legal background. As a veteran, he modelled the importance of giving back to the community where he lived. He will be missed by his many neighbors and friends."

Van De Water was defeated by Delgado in the 2020 general election, garnering 44.2% of the vote. In July he announced a second run to prospectively challenge Delgado or seek another local seat, only to pull out of the race Aug. 27, saying “circumstances in my life have changed and I am no longer able to give 110% towards this endeavor.”

He said he was withdrawing “For the good of the party, and the district … I look forward to vigorously and enthusiastically supporting the GOP candidate in 2022.”

Delgado, during a previously planned veterans support forum in Saugerties Wednesday, held a moment of silence for Van De Water.

"We can and we must do more to support our veterans and their families," Delgado said in a statement after the forum. "We owe them mental health care, employment opportunities, quality medical treatments, unwavering gratitude, and more."