David Bailey Van Kleeck

1934 - 2019

David Bailey Van Kleeck

Vero Beach - David Bailey Van Kleeck, 85, of Vero Beach, FL, passed away peacefully at home on October 23rd. A devoted husband, father, and successful attorney, he possessed a keen sense of humor and enjoyed many intellectual pursuits throughout his life.

He was born October 4, 1934 in Poughkeepsie, NY to David and Gladys (Bailey) Van Kleeck. After serving in the Army during the Korean Conflict, he attended Harvard University and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1964, the same year he was admitted to the Florida Bar. He practiced civil law for 35 years, retiring to Vero Beach, FL after a career that included high-profile cases during the S&L crisis in the 1980s. He was widely known by his peers and colleagues for his unimpeachable ethical integrity in practicing law.

His passions included jazz music, particularly Dixieland and the music of Count Basie, and Muskie fishing in Canada. He volunteered for various charitable organizations, and was given a Lifetime Achievement award for 25 years of service to the Elizabeth Faulk Foundation and the Center for Group Counseling in Boca Raton, FL.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Lorraine Wetherald, and her sons Rick Wetherald and his wife Jennifer of Bakersfield, CA, and Neal Wetherald and his wife Priscilla of Camp Lejeune, NC. Also surviving are his first wife Janet (Severy) Van Kleeck of Lake Worth, FL, and their two sons, David A. Van Kleeck and his wife Kathy of Gainesville, FL and John S. Van Kleeck and his wife Kim of Melbourne Beach, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Rose Fraser of Hendersonville, NC and Ruth Klimas of Fletcher, NC.

A Memorial Gathering of family and friends will be held at 10am on Sunday November 3rd, 2019 at the Heritage Center in Vero Beach. The address is: 2140 14th Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32960.