Robert W. Van Slaars

Robert William Van Slaars, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, went to be with his Father in heaven on November 10, 2016 in San Angelo, Texas. He was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Recitation of the Rosary will be at 5pm Sunday, November 13, 2016, at Johnson’s Funeral Home Chapel, 435 W. Beauregard. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am Monday, November 14, 2016, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 20 E. Beauregard, San Angelo. Pallbearers will be Ryan Hardgrave, Chad Spruell, Austin Spruell, Aaron Bowles, Nathan Bowles and Matt Miller.

Robert, or Van as he was known to many, was born on December 19, 1930 in Athens, Greece to Sidney and Fernande Noblet Van Slaars. The oldest of four siblings, Robert moved with his family around 1937 to Paris, France where his mother had lived. When WWII was approaching, his father booked passage across the Atlantic in a ship, taking them to his previous home of New York City. So by a young age, our dad was fluent in Greek, French and English! At age 17, on October 4, 1948, Dad enlisted in the U. S. Air Force. He was assigned to basic training in San Antonio, and soon was stationed at Goodfellow A.F.B. in San Angelo. It was there that he met and married Gloria Berger on Aug. 7, 1952, beginning their 64 years of marriage. Together, they instilled the sacredness and importance in our lives of faith, marriage and family. Other Air Force assignments included Greenland, Ohio, Abilene (Texas), Nebraska, Delaware and the Philippines. He retired with 20 years of service, at Goodfellow A.F.B., on December 1, 1968. The family made their home in San Angelo ever since.

Dad dearly loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and his large extended family. His Catholic faith was very important to him. He loved his country and enjoyed reminiscing about his time in the service. After travelling to so many places throughout the United States and the world, Dad had many stories to share. He never met a stranger, striking up a conversation easily, especially if he found out that person spoke French! He had a beautiful voice and loved to sing.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Henry Van Slaars, and an infant son, Thomas William Van Slaars.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria; his children Patti (Greg) Spruell; Joe Van Slaars; and Jeanne (Rob) Miller, all of San Angelo, and Kathy (Gary) Hardgrave, of Sonora, Tx. He had six grandchildren—Kristen Hardgrave Kaufman (Sam) of Allen, Tx; Ryan Hardgrave (Tracy) of San Antonio, Tx; Chad Spruell (Jade) of Austin, Tx; Austin Spruell of San Angelo, Tx.; Michaela Miller Trew (Marcus) of Benbrook, Tx.; and Sgt.Matthew G. Miller, USMC of San Antonio, Tx. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren—Ethan, Abby and Anna Kate Kaufman, and Hudson and Colton Hardgrave, and one on the way! His sisters are Marilyn Goisque (Jean-Marie) and Janine Van Slaars, all of Meaux, France, and he had many French nieces and nephews. Dad was very fond of Gloria’s sisters, their husbands and his many American nieces and nephews.

Looking forward to being with you one day again, at the biggest reunion ever!

Memorials may be made to Hospice of San Angelo (36 E. Twohig, Suite 1100 San Angelo, Tx 76902; Catholic Outreach Services (410 N. Chadbourne, San Angelo Tx 76903); or a charity of your choice.

Family and friends may express condolences and sign the online guest book at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com.