Robert “Bob” Joseph VanEtten, 81, of Brandon went peacefully into the arms of our loving Father on January 16, 2020. Born in Brooklyn, NY on October 8, 1938. At age 18, in 1957 he proudly began to serve our Country in the Army as an infantry soldier in the 82nd Airborne, followed by Army Reservist, and rounding out his military service in 1998 as a National Guardsman. 1973 brought him to the Brandon area where he began his career as a Firefighter. First as a Volunteer with Brandon Fire Dept. and in 1974 upon the establishment of Hillsborough County Fire Dept. he was one of the first six firefighters hired. Moving through the ranks from Firefighter to Driver onto Captain and retiring in 1999 as a Battalion Chief. During this time he became an instructor and was integral in developing the Safety and Training Program for new hired Firefighters. The passion he had for Firefighting and his comrades did not end with his retirement. He went on to share his passion and knowledge with the Seffner-Mango Volunteer Fire Dept. The County asked him to be Chief of what would become Station 18. Working tirelessly with the community, recruiting new firefighters and training these Volunteers in preparation for their paid career, Station 18 was designed, built and opened as North Brandon Fire Rescue. Always serving Bob was also a Mason.
Preceded in death in 2011 by his loving wife Adele Ellis VanEtten, he is survived by one son Robert J. VanEtten, Jr. of Yarmouth, MA; four daughters Jamie VanEtten, Bourne, MA., Bonnie Whitney, West Wareham, MA., Jeanette Miller and her husband Charles Miller, Lakeland, FL., and Theresa Pacheco, Seffner, FL.; seven grandchildren Zachary, Tyler, Jordan and his wife Yanisel McGowan, Anthony, Alexander, and Ryan Pacheco, Matthew Whitney; two Brother’s in Law Arthur F. Ellis, Jr., Brandon, FL., and Richard Ellis, Queens, NY; one niece Kristen Fasano and her her husband Anthony Fasano, Jr.; four nephews Richard Ellis, Jr. and his wife Kerry Ellis, Benjamin Ellis and wife Lori Ellis, Arthur F. Ellis, III and wife Candice Ellis, Joseph Ellis and Kimberly Grund.
Bob was deeply respected and loved, he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Services will be held on January 24, 2020 beginning at 10:00 AM Grave side service 11:00 AM
At Hillsboro Memorial Gardens Visitation Thursday January 23, 2020 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM
