Robert "Van" Y. Vande Bossche

Born August 25, 1931, in Seattle, WA, to parents John and Frances Vande Bossche, Van passed away on May 11th 2014, after a long illness. Van went to Lake Washington High School, graduating in 1948. He then attended Central Washington College on a basketball scholarship. With his 6 foot 6 inch frame he was their center.

Van met his wife, June Contois, at a construction site where both their fathers were employed and Van and June had obtained summer jobs. Van married his sweetheart, June, in 1951. He joined the Marine Corps after 2 years of college and served in the Korean War. He remained in the Marine Reserves until the mid 1960's.

When Van returned from Korea he finished his education at the University of Washington earning a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering while working nights and raising a growing family. Van started his career in California at Bendix Corporation. He brought his family back to Washington after a few years and finished his career working for Honeywell Marine Systems Division, retiring in 1990.

Van will be remembered for his love of family, friends, golf, fishing, hunting and camping with his friends and family, and for being active in his neighborhood United Methodist Church. Van is survived by June, his wife of 62 years, his four children: Karen Vande Bossche, Merrie (Jeff) Tomlin, Sharla (Kevin) Mueller, John (Mary) Vande Bossche; ten grandchildren: Jake, Greg, Holly, Matt, Liz, Frankie, Rob, Cassie, Pat and Kristen; and seven great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and his dear sister, Leona Bixby.

A memorial will be held Sunday, May 18, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. at Sunset Hills Cemetery Chapel, 1215 - 145th Place S.E., Bellevue, Washington 98007.