James G. Van Oot

James G. Van Oot

James G. Van Oot, age 90, of the Jenner's Pond Retirement Community died on September 10, 2012.

Jim was a native Virginian who received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Virginia Tech in June 1942 and a Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army's Chemical Warfare Service on the same day. This began four years of service in the Army. In 1944 and 1945, he was assigned to the European Civil Affairs Division, whose job it was to assist the civilian population return to normal. In Germany, this function was modified to form the Military Government. He was discharged from the Army in April 1946 with five battle stars (including the Normandy beachhead and the Battle of the Bulge) with the rank of Major.

Following the war, he received MS and PhD degrees from Northwestern University and Virginia Tech. In November 1947, he married Gertrud Fritzsche of Augsburg, Germany. Trudy devoted her life to her family, husband and four children, until her untimely death from cancer in 1992.

Jim's 35 years career with the DuPont Company included work in nylon research and in the Information Systems Department, providing information services and doing research on information retrieval techniques. He was the Executive Secretary of the Corporate Metrication Committee, advising on the proper use of the International System of (metric) units.

He was a lover of classical music and played trumpet in a number of bands and orchestras in Virginia and Delaware, including the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra when he was the principal trumpet in 1962.

He is survived by his children and their respective spouses: Peter Van Oot and Janet Stavosky, Saskia Van Oot and Lance Nuckolls, Karen (Renna) Van Oot and Pamela Leland, Blair and Barbara Van Oot and grandsons, Zachary, Benjamin and Dustin.

There will be no formal services, Jim would like you to remember him in your own private way. Memorial contributions may be sent to Jenner's Pond Benevolent Care Fund, 2000 Greenbriar Lane, West Grove, PA 19390.

Arrangements by
CHANDLER FUNERAL HOMES
www.chandlerfuneralhome.com
302-478-7100