Robert Vincent Van Etten, 86, a former longtime resident of the Town of Esopus, NY died in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, March 11th, 2023, following a brief illness.
He was born in Kingston, NY on January 29th, 1937, a son of the late Charles and Clara (Kraus) Van Etten.
A veteran of the Army National Guard, Bob was employed for over 35 years with IBM in several locations which included Kingston, Washinton DC, and Poughkeepsie, from where he retired as a senior purchaser/buyer.
Following his retirement from IBM, Bob worked as a funeral assistant for various funeral homes in the Kingston area, including the most recent, Lasher Funeral Home in Woodstock, NY.
He was a longtime member of the Port Ewen Reformed Church where he served as Elder, Deacon, choir member and lay reader of the Gospel.
Following the passing of his wife of 60 years, Patricia in 2018, and health issues, Bob moved to sunny Jacksonville, Florida to live with his daughter, Jane, who was his caretaker until his passing.
Bob is survived by one daughter, Jane M. Harris, and her husband Simon, of Jacksonville, Florida, one son, Geoffrey J. Van Etten of Kingston, one brother, Charles F. Van Etten.
In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his wife Patricia Anne (Harris) Van Etten, two infant sons, Robert and William, one brother, Donald Van Etten (2019), and one sister, Dorothy G. “Dottie” Mikesh.
Local arrangements are under the care of the Gilpatric-VanVliet Funeral Home, 339 Broadway, Ulster Park, Town of Esopus.
A graveside serving following by inurnment next to his wife Patricia at Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Woodstock, NY will be announced in the Spring.
