Harry C. VAN ZANDT

VAN ZANDT, Harry C. Harry C. Van Zandt, 89, formerly of Clifton Park, passed away, Saturday, (February 19, 2011), at the Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center, Troy, NY. Harry was born on August 20, 1921 in Plainfield, NJ, the youngest of six sons born to Clarence P. and Henrietta Romberg Van Zandt. Upon graduating from Plainfield High School he entered Rutgers University. At the end of his junior year his R.O.T.C. Infantry group was called to active duty and he was sent to Ft. McClellan, MS for basic training. He married Neva W. Woodhull on January 1, 1944. He received his commission at Ft. Benning, GA. and was assigned to the 259th Regiment of the 65th Infantry Division. The 65th was shipped to the European Theater of Operations and served in two campaigns. During this service he earned the Combat Infantry Badge and two Bronze Star medals. He then served occupation duty in Linz & Salzburg, Austria. Upon returning home, he completed his degree at Rutgers. Being a member of the inactive reserves, he was called back into active duty at the end of 1950 while living in Altadena, CA. After a refresher course at Ft. Ord, CA he was flown to Japan, then by boat to Korea where he served with the Puerto Rican 65th Regiment of the 30th Infantry Division and served as a platoon leader and company CO. During his Korean service he received the Purple Heart Medal, a second Combat Infantry Badge and two more Bronze Stars including a "V" for valor. He left the Army with the rank of Captain. After Korea he worked in sales in the ceramic tile industry in Texas and Connecticut, relocating to Clifton Park in 1968. Harry retired from American Olean Tile Co. of Lansdale, PA. He was a member of V.F.W. Post 1498 in Clifton Park. In addition to his parents and brothers, Harry was predeceased by his wife, Neva Woodhull Van Zandt, who died on April 1, 1996. Survivors include his children, Jeffrey Van Zandt and his wife, Bonnie, of Plainville, CT, and Erik Van Zandt and his wife, Susan, of Clifton Park, NY; four grandchildren, Peter Van Zandt and his wife, Laura, Amy Van Zandt and her husband, Robert Cewe, Adam Van Zandt and Roland Van Zandt; four great-grandchildren Jennifer and William Van Zandt and Benjamin and Emily Cewe. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. The family will be receiving relatives and friends at the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home 1550 Route 9 Clifton Park, NY on Thursday, (February 24, 2011) from 10-11 a.m. prior to the funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clifton Park-Half Moon Memorial V.F.W. Post 1498, P.O. Box 4480, Clifton Park, NY 12065.