Gary Leonard Van Dusen

Gary Van Dusen, a loving husband, father of four, grandfather to six and great grandfather to four passed away on September 6, 2022. Gary was born on September 20, 1941, to Helen and Albert Van Dusen in Los Angeles, California. On June 16, 1962, Gary married Grace Pauline Roehl. They recently celebrated 60 years of marriage. Gary was 80 years old when he passed away.

Gary graduated from Junipero Serra Catholic High School in 1959; University of Portland with a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1964; University of Southern California with a Master of Science in Systems Management in 1971. His military education included the Air Force Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College, Air War College, and Pilot Training (Helicopter).

Gary earned the rank of Major during his 20 years of service in the United States (U.S.) Air Force as a Services Support Staff Officer. His service included the U.S. response to the Korean Pueblo incident, 5 years of foreign service in Naha A.F. B, Okinawa and Clark A.F.B., Philippines, including support services for Vietnam. After retirement from active duty in 1985, he worked for the SAGA/Marriott Corporation’s Educational Food Service Division as the food service manager at Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska for two years. Gary returned to the U.S. Air Force as a Civilian for 19 years serving in Omaha, Nebraska as an Inspector General; in Dayton, Ohio and Los Angeles, California as a Service Manager.

Gary received numerous honors in his career, including the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster, American Defense Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal-Korea, Air Force Longevity Service Award with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and the SAC Outstanding Services Senior Civilian Manager for 1988.

Gary enjoyed traveling with Grace; together they have visited all 50 United States and countries in 4 continents. When he was not traveling, he enjoyed staying active by visiting family, golfing, reading, hiking, cooking, bicycling, camping, canoeing, basketball, fishing, hunting, snow skiing, square dancing, hand ball, squash, racquetball, rock climbing, gardening, and chaperoning field trips for his grandchildren. He was an active adult leader in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, coordinator and volunteer for swim meets, and served in children’s school PTA and church ministries.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Albert Leonard and Helen Winker Van Dusen and his sister Mary Van Dusen Wilkerson. He is survived by his beloved wife Grace Roehl Van Dusen; brothers Bill, Ken  and his wife Christine, Tom, and Tim and his wife Amy; his four children Geoffrey, Gail Campos and her husband, David, Gloria and her husband Stephan Kleine, Gretchen Axton and her husband Grant; six grandchildren: Anthony, Rosa, and Miguel Campos; Elise Kleine; and Janelle and Jeanna Axton; and four great grandchildren: Andre, Leilani, Malakai, and an expected baby.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at American Martyrs Church, 700 15th St., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed later at https://www.americanmartyrs.org/livestream-funerals-memorials/. The interment ceremony will be held at the Los Angeles National Cemetery at 10:30 a.m., on October 3, 2022.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society https://donate3.cancer.org or American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/.