Robert Lee Van Vranken (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Robert Lee VanVranken, age 79, passed away on Thursday morning, January 6, 2011 at the Parkview Healthcare Facility in Bolivar after a prolonged illness.
He was born March 6, 1931 in Pratt, Kansas to Orville Joe VanVranken and Margaret Mae (Shafer) VanVranken.
He was a graduate of Wichita High School East in 1949 and graduated from Wichita University in 1954 with a degree in Industrial Engineering.
He married Marjorie Perrine on August 2, 1953 in Wichita, KS.
After graduating from college, he entered the U. S. Army Corp of Engineers as a 2nd Lieutenant. Following basic training in Virginia, the couple moved to Bremerhaven, Germany where he was assigned to the Post Engineers. This was the beginning of 20 years of may adventures of living all over the world. He earned a degree in Civil Engineering form Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy at Rolla, MO in 1962 and then was sent to Viet Nam as an adviser to the Viet Nam Army. While in the Army he was stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia; Bremerhaven, Germany; Fort Lewis, Washington; Fort Knox, Kentucky; Vicenze, Italy; Fort Lee, Virginia; DaNang, Viet Nam; Korat, Thailand; Camp Zama, Japan; and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; where he retired with high honors from the Army in 1974, having earned the rank Lieutenant Colonel.
Upon retiring, he took the position as Head of Environmental Services at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha, NE. Later, he taught Civil Engineering Technology at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa for 17 years. After retiring from teaching he sold Real Estate in Gretna, NE and then the couple moved to Bolivar in 1996. He was an active member of the Bolivar United Methodist Church, where he taught Bible studies and ran the sound system. He served in many capacities in the Shoe Me The Way Walk to Emmaus organization.
Bob loved fishing, bowling, pheasant hunting, competition level skeet shooting, telling stories about his live experiences and spending time with friends and family.
Bob is survived by his wife “Marge”, of the home; son David Lee VanVranken and his wife Tamara of Las Vegas, NV; daughter Karen McNickle and her husband Bob of Lehi, Utah; daughter Melinda Perrine-Obago and her husband Lester of Woodward, IA; son John VanVranken and his wife Pamela of Hutto, TX; son Mark VanVranken and his wife Miranda of Tulsa, OK. Bob’s brother, Dr. A. E. VanVranken and his wife Carol-Jean of Alexandria, MN; sister Betty Jo Wenke of Derby, KS. 26 Grandchildren. 14 Great Grandchildren and 10 nieces and nephews.
A Visitation will be held at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri on Sunday evening from 5:00-7:00pm.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, January 10, 2011 at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri with Rev. Dan Adkison officiating. Musical Selections will be “No More Night” sung by Lynn Penticuff with Carol Krueger playing the piano, “To Where You Are” by Josh Groben, and “Amazing Grace” will be sung by the congregation. Burial will follow at Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Bolivar, Missouri under the care and direction of the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar with full Military Honors provided by the United States Military Funeral Honors Team. Pallbearers will be Frank Artz, Kelly Baker, Gary Elliott, Bill Nickerson, Jackie Ray, Larry Tweed, Rex Warren and Jim Zaerr.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bolivar United Methodist Church, 105 E. Division, Bolivar, Missouri 65613.
What’s your fondest memory of Robert?
What’s a lesson you learned from Robert?
Share a story where Robert's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Robert you’ll never forget.
How did Robert make you smile?