Robert D. Vrancken

Robert D. Vrancken was intelligent and talented and used his skills in a variety of ways. He was a man who cared for everyone he knew and expressed this care through his generosity and willingness to always lend a helping hand. Robert loved sharing his love for life with his friends and family, whether by making them laugh or simply by expressing it in his every day actions.

The Great Depression was a hard and challenging time for everyone, but Roger Vrancken, a Belgian immigrant, and his wife, Kathryn (Tobin), of Mannington, West Virginia, were focusing on a special blessing in their lives, the birth of their son, Robert, on June 28, 1936.

Robert and his younger sister, Mary Kay, were raised in a loving Catholic home in Charleston, West Virginia, where his father earned a living as a glass cutter and craftsman. Robert received his education in traditional Catholic schools. He played football in high school, and also became involved in drama, doing talent shows and singing. He was named the "Best Young Singer" by the Charleston Light Opera Guild. Robert loved acting and singing, and it continued to play a part in his college years at Notre Dame. He starred in numerous productions, including Carousel, Finian's Rainbow and others.

In 1958, Robert graduated from Notre Dame. He then furthered his studies at Syracuse University, and like many young men of the time, Robert served in the U.S. Air Force after graduate school. Years later, Robert went on to earn his Ph.D. in Facilities Management from the Union Institute .

During his time in high school, Robert began dating Wynona West, and in 1957, they were married on the Notre Dame campus. The couple welcomed their first child, son Robert, in 1959, and he was later followed by Brett in 1961, Paige in 1964, and Mark in 1969. Over the years, the family lived in Wheeling, West Virginia, where Robert worked as an interior designer. They later moved to Detroit, where he worked in the elevator industry. In 1967 they settled in Chalfont, Pennsylvania. It was here Robert took a job with Univac, a large computer and development company, as a Facilities Manager.

In 1979, Robert and Wynona unfortunately separated. A few years later, he met Melody, who was his travel agent. After Robert finally got his nerve up to ask her out, the couple became inseparable. Melody was truly the love of Robert's life and they eventually married. In 1984, he and Melody relocated to Holland, Michigan, where Robert began the Facilities Management program at Grand Valley State University. A well-respected professor, Robert started and taught this program at Grand Valley for 18 years before retiring in 2002. Most people think of retirement as slowing down and taking things easy. Not for Robert. He kept himself busy working a part-time job at Batteries Plus in Holland, as well as being a thoughtful friend to his priest and any others who needed help. Robert was a faithful member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church.

Aside from being a workaholic, Robert also found time to enjoy his passion for the arts. He continued to be involved in drama and put on many talent shows, including the Kouncil Kapers, a local follies show. One of Robert's most defining traits was his organizing skills, but his masterful ability to fix anything with a coat hanger and duct tape was a close second. In his leisure time, Robert loved to sail or pal around with his beloved Siberian husky, Tasha. He took his health very seriously and always ate good foods, made his own juice, and took tons of vitamins. He did a lot of the cooking and was very good at it. All who knew Robert will treasure his memory.

Robert D. Vrancken, age 69, of Holland, MI, died at Holland Hospital on Thursday, January 5, 2006. His family includes his wife, Melody Vrancken; his children: Robert and Celine Vrancken of Pennsylvania, Brett and Suzanne Vrancken of New Jersey, Paige and Jimmy Dean of Florida, and Mark Vrancken of Florida; 15 grandchildren; sister, Mary Kay and Hugh Kelly of Chicago; half-brother, Roger and Betty Vrancken of Florida; his pre-deceased half-sister Leona Vrancken; in-laws, Sharon and John Downing of Pennsylvania, Jerry and Linda Krewson of North Carolina; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visiting will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Monday, January 9, at the Northwood Chapel, Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, 295 Douglas Avenue, Holland, MI, with wake prayers to be said at 3:30 p.m. by Father Phillip Nguyen. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a favorite memory of Robert, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to either Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church or the American Heart Association.