Obituary of Robert John Van Vlaanderen

Robert John Van Vlaanderen, a decorated army veteran who participated in the US invasions of Sicily, France and Germany during World War II, died on July 7, 2011 at the Hospice of New Jersey at St. Joseph's Wayne Hospital. He was 89. Mr. Van Vlaanderen and his wife, Florence Van Vlaanderen, were married on May 3, 1952. They have four sons and daughters-in-law: Robert Jr., and Denise of Hawthorne, NJ; Bryant and Rene of Fayetteville NC; Wayne and Denise of Kinnelon, NJ; and Mark and Marissa of Kinnelon NJ; 9 grandchildren: Jade, Codi, Christopher, David, Todd, Wayne Jr., Lauren, Katelyn and Mark Jr. He is survived by a brother and sister-in-law: Edward and Michelle of New York City, and predeceased by a sister Helen Freerks. Mr. Van Vlaanderen was born in Hawthorne, NJ, attended the North Fourth Street Christian School in Paterson, Hawthorne High School and received a civil engineering degree from Fairleigh Dickenson College in Rutherford. For many years he was a technical representative for the Instrument Specialties Company, a leading designer and manufacturer of electromagnetic interference shielding. He piloted the company plane to reach distant customers and suppliers. He was a licensed professional engineer and a member of the American Society for Testing and Materials. For many years Mr. Van Vlaanderen had been a devoted member of the First Christian Reformed Church, now the Bridgeway Community Church of Haledon, NJ. He served as a deacon and an elder, active as a Sunday school teacher, a leader of the Calvinist Cadet Corps and in the Bible study group. He was also a member of the Gideon's Society. From 1943 until the end of the war in 1945, Mr. Van Vlaanderen served as an infantry scout with the headquarters company of the Ninth Infantry Division. He had been specially selected and trained to advance ahead of regular troop formations, make contact with enemy units and send back information on their position and strength. The Ninth Division was among the first US combat units involved in offensive ground operations during World War II. Mr. Van Vlaanderen participated in the invasion of Sicily in August, and then was transported to England for further training before the invasion of France. The Ninth Division landed in Normandy on June 10, 1944 - "D-DAY + 4." Wounded during the German counteroffensive in the Ardennes Mountains of Belgium in December 1944, he was awarded two Purple Heart decorations as well as a Bronze Star for heroic achievement in action, and the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. Donations may be made to the Gideon's International, 29 Evans Place, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444. Visiting hours are Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. The funeral will be Monday at 10:00 AM and will be celebrated by Pastor Brian Bolkema. Interment will follow will be in Laurel Grove Memorial Park, Totowa.