Vere Paul Van Keuren Jr.

June 25, 1927 – March 10, 2016

LA JOLLA -- Vere P. ‘Paul’ Van Keuren, Jr., LCDR USNR (ret), 88, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2016 following a brief illness. Paul was born June 25, 1927 in Kalamazoo, MI to Hannah Dawes (Kingston) and Vere P. Van Keuren, Sr.

Following graduation from high school in Jan. 1945, he was accepted into the V-5 Naval Aviation Program under which he attended Colgate and Western Michigan Universities. He earned his wings at Pensacola, FL and his multi-engine rating at Corpus Christi, TX. He was very proud to have been a Holloway Flying Midshipman. While stationed at NAS Miramar, Paul met his wife-to-be, Helen Turner, playing bridge on the beach at La Jolla Cove. They were married in 1950 at NAS Miramar. Paul left the Navy soon afterwards with plans to become a pharmacist, but he was recalled immediately to active duty due to the outbreak of the Korean Conflict.

Paul’s 25-year Navy career took them to eight states. He went through lighter-than-air training (blimps) at NAS Glynco, GA. While stationed in Elizabeth City, NC they were blessed to have two daughters, Karen and Kim. In 1967 the family settled in Arlington, TX while Paul was stationed at NAS Dallas until his retirement in 1970.

After the Navy he embarked on a second career in technical sales of industrial equipment for the paper industry. He retired in 1990 as Vice President of Flowmatics, Inc. of Dallas. He and Helen subsequently returned to make La Jolla their retirement home in 1995.

Paul was very handy, loved woodworking and tinkering in his workshop. He taught himself to play the ukulele, banjo and accordion and he enjoyed years of sailing and waterskiing with family. In retirement he became an avid golfer and was an active member of the San Diego Good Guys. For many years he and Helen enjoyed traveling the world (visiting six continents), dancing, volunteering at the La Jolla Riford Library, volunteering with La Jolla Meals-On-Wheels, reading and playing bridge. He took great pleasure in being surrounded by his family and friends. Those that knew him will remember him as a devoted husband and father, a soft-spoken and likeable man who was the consummate gentleman and a gracious host.

He is preceded in death by his sister, Mary C. Tallman (Stan), of South Bend, IN and brother, John K. Van Keuren (Cheryl) of Kalamazoo, MI. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Helen and daughters Karen Miller (Dale) of La Jolla and Kim Kennedy (David) of Gig Harbor, WA and grandsons Chris Kennedy of Gig Harbor and Dan Kennedy (Chelle) of Bangkok, Thailand.

A private family service will be held. He will be interred with military honors at Miramar National Cemetery.