Robert Van Brederode

Bob will always be remembered for his passion for his family, his music, and his service to the Chinese community.

Bob was born on August 1, 1943 to the late Mary Smith and Jacob van Brederode in Hackensack, NJ. He was the oldest of four children and a great support to his family in his youth. One of the highlights of his youth was winning a Soap Box Derby on Long Island. He went on to participate in the National Championship in Akron, OH. He spent much of his youth in Babylon, NY and graduated valedictorian from Babylon High School in 1961.

Bob attended the University of Florida Gainesville and transferred to Cornell University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1966. He also was awarded his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University in 1969. While at Cornell, Bob met and courted his wife, Peggy Powell. They were both performing at Lincoln Center; Bob in the Cornell symphony and Peggy in the Cornell Chorus. They were married September 3, 1966 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Bob loved music, both instrumental and vocal. Music was a major influence and love in his life. He played the French horn in the marching band in high school and the euphonium in the University of Florida Fighting Gator Marching Band. He participated in numerous choral groups throughout his life; most recently in Charlotte: Opera Carolina, Carolina Voices, and the Charlotte Oratorio. Bob was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served on many occasions as the music and choir director for the local congregation. In his later years, his passion for music continued as he challenged himself by learning to play the piano.

Professionally, Bob worked as a plastics chemical engineer in many different capacities at Exxon, Reichold Chemical Co., BP Chemicals, NC State University, as well as the Department of Commerce for the state of NC. His professional career took him all over the world, England and Asia in particular.

Additionally, Bob was an entrepreneur and owned his own candy store, Candy Express, for several years. He was known as “The Candy Man” and his love of candy continued as he always had everyone's favorite candy on hand.

In Bob's personal life, he was an avid Philadelphia Phillies baseball fan. He loved discussing politics and was an active citizen. Bob was even instrumental in helping many immigrants obtain their US citizenship. He loved fishing, particularly deep-sea fishing and boating, and was at home on a lake or the ocean. He had a soft spot for dogs his whole life. Some of his furry friends were Sabre Jet, Corky, and most recently, Duke. He also had a green thumb, and found joy in gardening and doing many hands-on projects around the house and yard.

Bob tried to follow the Savior Jesus Christ by helping his fellow man. Bob's ancestors immigrated to the United States for a better life and he in turn helped others do the same. He embraced many in the Chinese community in Charlotte and helped them learn English and succeed in their new lives in America. He cared for them as family. He enriched their lives and they enriched his life.

He is survived by his wife: Peggy van Brederode; their children: Rob van Brederode (and spouse, Darcie), Beth Ferguson (and spouse, Scott), Susie Shipley (and spouse, Jim), Kathy Pratchett (and spouse, Terry), and John van Brederode; their 18 grandchildren: Marianna, Ashlyn, Kirsten, Rachel, and Sadie van Brederode; Jared, Nathan, Becca, and Danny Ferguson; Isaac, Morgan, and Solomon Shipley; Hunter, Paul, and Luke Pratchett; and John, Maddie, and Emmy van Brederode; his siblings and their

children: Rick van Brederode (and spouse, Cathy and daughters Tara and Trisha), Kathleen Pawloski (and sons Ray and John), and Joanne Porrello (and spouse, Peter); and also his cousins: Mary Ellen Pryde Abrams and Peggy Chubb Evers.

Services will be held on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at 11:00AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5815 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226.