• Robert H. Van Kleeck

Robert H. Van Kleeck died peacefully early Wednesday, January 6, 2016 on a clear, starry, moonlit night, surrounded by his family at his home in Shelburne. He was born on August 13, 1946 in Monticello, New York, the son of Harvey R. and Frances M. (DeCristofalo) Van Kleeck. He graduated from George Washington High School in Virginia and the University of Hawaii, and served in the US Army. He lived and worked in Virginia, Hawaii and Connecticut before moving to Vermont where he met and married Maureen O’Brien.

Bob enjoyed all aspects of nature, walking in the woods, hunting, fishing, and tending to his vegetable gardens and blueberry bushes. His book collection was vast and Bob made time each day to read and take a nap. He enjoyed travel throughout the years, including the Caribbean, family trips to the Maine coast, and adventures to New Zealand, Ireland and Italy. Family was most important to him and he was incredibly proud of each of his children and enjoyed and supported all their activities including horse shows, baseball games and dance class. Traditions included fishing trips to Canada, which started with his father and brothers-in-law, and continued with several nephews, and opening weekend at deer camp spent with Jim and the crew.

He is survived by his wife Maureen, children Jennifer and her husband Mark Kinchen, Karla and Gregory. Survivors also include his mother, Frances, siblings Vickie Van Kleeck, Mark Van Kleeck, Kathy Dellinger, and Gina (Mike) Merenda; in laws Kathleen O’Brien, Kary and Jeffery Towne, Tom O’Brien, Susan O’Brien, Michael O’Brien, Dennis O’Brien, Eileen O’Brien, Rebecca and William Ramsey and Sharon and Jim Hickey (his good friend & hunting partner). He also leaves grandchildren, Sara Greig, Zach Greig, Abby Graves, John Graves, Ella Robinson and Adaline Robinson, great-grandson Luke Matthew, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Harvey, in-laws George & Helen O’Brien and brother-in-law Kevin O’Brien.

Visiting hours will be on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and services Monday at 11 a.m., both at the Ready Funeral Home, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington. Burial will follow at Resurrection Park in South Burlington. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Hospice Program-VNA, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446.