Thomas Vincent Van Auken Jr.

Thomas Vincent Van Auken, Jr. was born on December 27, 1934, in Rusk County, Texas, son of Arra Viola Copeland and Thomas Vincent Van Auken. When his father died, Warden John Newell and Bonnie Boone Newell adopted him as their foster son.

Tom grew up in Alpine, a small town in the mountainous desert of southwest Texas. After completing his A.B. at Princeton University, he earned a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana and did postdoctoral work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He taught briefly at the University of Texas, Austin.

Tom was a research scientist. He first worked at Union Carbide in Charleston, West Virginia, and then at Philip Morris in Richmond. While at Philip Morris, he was awarded 9 patents. After his retirement, he continued to apply his knowledge of science by serving on the Virginia Water Control Board and ORSANCO (Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission).

Tom’s stated desire in college was “to make a difference.” To that end, he joined the Chesterfield County Committee of the GOP, where he was a tireless worker for decades. He believed strongly in the importance of local government and continuously sought, mentored, and supported aspiring candidates for office.

He loved driving. A sports car enthusiast, he took pride in being the first and only owner of a 1964 Lotus Elan. He enjoyed driving it in events sponsored by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), especially during his Charleston, WV, years. Together with Nancy, he edited and published Rich Mixture, the award-winning monthly newsletter of the Southern West Virginia Region of SCCA. He and Nancy participated in road rallies, which gave them the opportunity to explore the rural areas around Charleston. Tom regularly competed in autocrosses, and he took home quite a few trophies.

Tom was an avid photographer, taking photographs of friends and family members, sports car events, flowers, cats, and birds. For many years he served as an unofficial photographer for local GOP candidates.

Tom loved a well-articulated argument, and he wrote many letters to the editor, which were published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. He had a regular following from readers who knew him by name only, and he was frequently recognized as the Correspondent of the Day; one of his letters was runner up for Correspondent of the Year.

Tom enjoyed the cultural amenities in the Richmond area, including the opera, ballet, and museums, and especially the Richmond Symphony. He was also passionate about world affairs and history, especially the Pacific Theater of World War II.

He loved helping people, whether it was giving automotive advice, writing detailed route instructions, writing letters or whatever else that he discerned that they needed.

Most of all, he loved his family. He often said that marrying Nancy was the best thing he ever did, and he worked hard to provide whatever he thought was the best for his children.

The family is grateful to the Cedarfield community, especially the nursing staff of Poppy Place and the hospice caregivers of Affinity Care of Virginia, for the support and care they provided during the final chapter of Tom’s life.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nancy Elizabeth Orton Van Auken; daughter Newell Ann Van Auken (Van Emery); son Thomas (“Tommy”) Van Auken; grandchildren Clara and Oliver; and his foster brother, David Newell (Malia); sisters-in-law Rebecca Sikes and Susan Orton (Larry Friedman); and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his foster sister Joanna Cowell and foster brother John Newell, and by his half-sister, Martha Van Auken.

A memorial service celebrating his life will take place at Cedarfield, 2300 Cedarfield Parkway, Henrico Va. on Sunday, July 20, at 2:00 pm. A private burial service will be held at the Hollywood Cemetery.