JOHN HARDWICK VAN SCHAICK

Captain John Hardwick van Schaick (pilot - Army Air Corps) of Schenectady, passed away peacefully on January 4th, 2011, from congestive heart failure. His wife, sons, and daughters were by his side at his Stratford Road home; he was much loved. John was the only son of Francis van Schaick of Cobleskill, NY and Katherine Mallette Hardwick of Conyers, GA. He was predeceased by an older sister, Katherine v. Hurst. Born Wednesday, November, 3rd 1920, at Ellis Hospital, the family attributes his lifelong interest in politics to his suffragette mother's vote the day before, cast in the first presidential election open to women. John graduated from high school in Cobleskill, and worked for Howe's Caverns as a tour guide. In his youth he was an eagle scout who rode an Indian motorcycle. When World War II started, John enlisted as an Air Force pilot and served with distinction. He made 2nd-Lieutenant and eventually rose to Captain of the 13th Air Force 42nd Bomb Group 69th Bomb Squadron (New Calidonia) and 70th Bomb Squadron (Fiji). His wartime exploits were detailed in his memoir "Surviving Against The Odds" published in 2003. It was while John was at flight school in Ft. Myers, Florida that he met Sally Logan Brown, who, after a whirlwind courtship, became his bride in 1942 for a lifelong marriage. With a growing family to consider, the young couple left Florida when John accepted a position with General Electric in Schenectady as a technical writer. John returned to college and graduated from Union with a B.A. in history and an M.Ed in English Literature, including the educational requirements to become an English teacher at Mont Pleasant High School. In addition to teaching, he was active in the Unitarian Church, running the bookstore in the 1950s and sponsoring the youth group in the 1960s. Many of the students that Sally and John met in their role as sponsors and teachers became lifelong friends. Named a Patroon by Mayor Brian Stratton for his civic leadership, John leaves a legacy of community involvement and participation. John was active in the Federation of Teachers holding variously over the years the positions of president, secretary, and treasurer. A staunch unionist, he was an officer in the AFL-CIO Central Labor council for many years. He helped establish the Legal Aid Society in Schenectady, earning the Bar Association's Liberty Bell Award. He helped establish the Mohawk Valley Physicians Health Plan, now known as MVP, serving on MVP's Executive Board and Finance Committee for over 20 years. He served as President of the Schenectady Historical Society, heading the Mabee Farm Historical Site project. An avid genealogist, proud of his Dutch heritage, John traced his family back to Utrecht, Holland in the 12th century. His forebears helped colonize the New Netherlands in the 1600s and he was an active member in the Holland Society. He participated in the New Netherlands Project and helped translate documents from the early Dutch settlers of this area. His other civic roles include serving as Treasurer of the Schenectady City Democratic Committee until the day he died, committeeman and president of the 11th ward, and Democratic committeeperson for the Union-Nott neighborhood. John was preceded in death by his oldest daughter Holly v. Floersch. John is survived by his wife, Sally B. van Schaick; his children, Peter van Schaick of Burlington, VT; Jake van Schaick (Fran) of Manchester, CT; Nancy v. Fisher (David) of Duanesburg, NY; Kate v. Dalby (Rick) of Catharpin, VA, and Derry Sontag van Schaick (Tamara) of Moss Beach, CA, and numerous beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, as well as several foster children. The family wishes to thank the staff and nurses of Community Hospice for their kind care during John's last few weeks at home. In lieu of flowers, donations in John's name may be sent to Planned Parenthood of Schenectady County, The Schenectady County Historical Society, or Community Hospice of Schenectady. A celebration of his life is set for Saturday, January 8th at 4 p.m. at the Unitarian-Universalist Church at 1221 Wendell Avenue in Schenectady, with reception to follow.