Robert Earl Van Velkinburgh

Robert Earl Van Velkinburgh, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather  passed away on December 31, 2017 after 93 years of an amazing life.  Stories and recollections were always a joy to hear.  Dad grew up during the depression, and if nothing else it taught him to not waste anything.  After graduating from high school he was drafted and served in the Army Air Force as a waist gunner on a B-17.  He flew more than 20 missions over Italy, Yugoslavia and Germany.  Dad attended The University of Missouri.  While there, he met our mother and they were married on June 5, 1947.  They enjoyed a little over 70 years of married life. They eventually settled in a small town in Northwest Missouri named Albany where they would live until 1960.  During this time, they owned and operated a flower and gift shop.  In 1960 they packed up their 3 children and moved to Phoenix, Arizona, looking for better opportunities than the small town of Albany offered.  Dad went back to school and got his teaching certificate and became a science teacher until retirement.  In 1970, they moved to Kaysville, Utah.  Mom got a promotion and Dad said he could teach anywhere.  While in Kaysville, Dad became heavily involved in politics especially local politics.  After the Richard Nixon debacle in the 1970s, Dad became a staunch Democrat and a very progressive one. Dad wants everyone to vote for the Democrats in 2018.  He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jeanne, son Bill (Cindy), daughter Jeannine (Robert), daughter Jan (Russell), 8 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held at Russon Mortuary, Farmington, UT. Jan. 9, 5-7 pm.  Also, there will be a graveside service at 3:00 pm, Friday the 12th of January, at the Kaysville Cemetery.