David A. Van Fleet

Van FLEET David A. Van Fleet, of Peoria, AZ, died April 26, 2007, after a long illness. Born March 9, 1951, in Norwalk, OH. Dave grew up and went to school in Monroeville, Ohio. He graduated from Monroeville High School and attended Bluffton University. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Graduating with Honors, from the University of Phoenix, in 2004. Dave began his work in the environmental field in 1970, in his hometown. During the next 35 years, he continued working in this field for the City of Willard, OH, Burgess and Niple Ltd. Engineers and Architects, Columbus, OH, the City of Columbus, OH, and the City of Peoria, AZ. His focus has always been improving the quality of water and wastewater. Memorable professional events include his presidency of the Ohio Water Environment Association (OWEA); meeting with Ohio Senator John Glenn, lobbying on behalf of the OWEA for reauthorization of the Clean Water Act; testifying before the Environmental Committee of the Ohio Legislature on benefits of biosolids land application. Dave's favorite avocation was attending NASCAR races. When racing came to Phoenix International Raceway, he couldn't have been more excited. He has his family made a ritual of attending. His car may not have won, but he loved the speed and competition. Surviving are his wife of 32 years, Becky (Sinn) Van Fleet of Peoria, AZ; twin foster sons, Harry and Robert Flanagan, Marion, OH; mother, Virginia (Roeder) Opper, Willard, OH; sister and brother-in-law, Deb (Van Fleet) and Dave Nill, Las Vegas, NV; brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Missy Van Fleet, Shelby, OH; brother, Dennis Van Fleet, Monroeville, OH; and brother, Douglas Van Fleet, Plymouth, OH; step-sister and brother-in law, Sue (Opper) and Al Lesch, Norwalk, OH; step-brothers, Robert Opper, Willard, OH, Ronald Opper, Houston, TX and William Opper, LeHigh, FL; step-brother, Richard Opper, preceded Dave in death. Mother-in-law, Juleah Sinn, Paulding, OH; sister and brother-in-law, Bobbi (Sinn) and Ken Macy, Auburn, IN; brothers and sisters-in-law, Don/Gene and Sharon (Yoh) Sinn, Ayersville, OH, Tom and Laurie (Ankney) Sinn, Latty, OH, Perry and Annette (Hunt) Sinn, Latty, OH, and Mike and Barb (Von Sossan) Sinn, Latty, OH. His loss so deeply saddens us. Our connection to him made us better for the experience and oh what an experience! A memorial celebration of Dave's life will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2007, at the EVANS FUNERAL HOME, 314 E. Main St., Norwalk, OH. Please join us in sharing stories of Dave's successful and significant life. We welcome you to gather with us at Knights of Columbus Hall, 254 W. Main Street, in Norwalk following the memorial. Memorial Contributions may be made to The Lymphoma Society, 3877 N. 7th St., Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85014 or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.