JOHN VAN TOL

VAN TOL COMMANDER JOHN
(U.S. NAVY RETIRED)
83, of Pittsburgh, a career naval officer and decorated veteran of WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, died Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at UPMC Presbyterian. Born July 24, 1926, in Wilkinsburg, he was a son of the late Pieter H.B. and Johanna (Molendyk) Van Tol. John graduated from Shepherdstown High School West Virginia and he received a bachelor's degree from Princeton University in 1947 (as a member of the Class of 1948). He married Alice (Blake) Van Tol in 1948. Commander Van Tol's naval career spanned from 1944 to 1969, during which he travelled to five continents and met several foreign dignitaries, including Juan and Eva Peron in Argentina and Prince Phillip aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. He was commissioned as an Ensign in 1947, became a Lieutenant Commander in 1958 and a Commander in 1963. John served sea duty aboard the USS Huntington, USS Wisconsin, USS LSMR 520, USS Forrest Sherman, HMS Sea Eagle (as Royal Navy Exchange Officer, stationed in Ireland), USS Fred T. Berry and USS Josephus Daniels. He commanded the destroyers USS Rhodes, USS Borie and USS Beatty. In October 1962, as Commanding Officer of the USS Rhodes, John observed and tracked Russian merchant vessels removing missiles from Havana, Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was interviewed several times later in life by authors and journalists about his experiences during the crisis. Following his retirement in 1969, John and his family moved to the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia and he launched a second career with several non-profit and volunteer organizations during the 1970s and early 1980s. He and his wife also lived and worked in community affairs in the Stowe, VT area from 1984 to 1997, before moving back to Shepherdstown, WV in 1997. From 2008 until his death, John was a resident at the Devonshire in Mt. Lebanon where he was the president of the Residents' Council. He was also an active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon. His beloved wife, Alice, predeceased him in July 2000. He was the proud and devoted father of John A. Van Tol of Saratoga, WY, Joan E. Van Tol of Stockton, NJ, Ruth V. Brinegar of Bethel Park, Pieter H.B. Van Tol, III of New York, NY; brother of Peter H.B. Van Tol of Williamsburg, VA and Johanna Goetz of Ponte Vedra, FL; also survived by three grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Friday, July 30, 2010, in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Mt. Lebanon with another service in Shepherdstown, WV at a later date and finally a Military Honors Burial in Arlington National Cemetery. Contributions may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Arrangements through LAUGHLIN MEMORIAL CHAPEL
www.laughlinfuneralhome.com
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