Nathan Van Lare

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Nathan Van Lare, 45, was born March 1, 1965, in Massachusetts. He lived in California as a child where he grew up on Haight/Ashbury Street, toured the streets of San Francisco on a skateboard, and learned the value of hard work on a farm. His blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes gave him the appearance of a native Californian.

As a teenager, he moved home to Cape Cod to get to know his dad as well as his other aunts, uncles and cousins. He made lifelong friends and great memories on his dirt bike on Cape Cod. He graduated from Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in Harwich in 1984, and then moved to West Palm Beach, Fla., to live near his aunt and grandmother.

His family encouraged him to find his way in the world when he decided to join the Navy. The Navy turned him into a man and assisted in developing his strong will and determination that he would use to the absolute end. His 6-year Navy career as an electronics technician for F-14s on the USS John F. Kennedy enabled him to make friends and travel all over the world.

After his naval service, his drive for a higher education brought him to the beautiful campus of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he met his future wife Karen Hayes. He made North Carolina his home with his wife and two children, Sydney Ann and Boston Clark, along with their cat Curley Joe. His family meant the entire world to him and then some.

He graduated from UNCG in 1997 as a geography major, but eventually returned to his Navy training when he offered to work for TIMCO Aerosystems. He worked at TIMCO for five years as a project coordinator and whereupon his diagnosis, friends and colleagues rallied to his side offering support. He fought hard against GIST cancer for 3 ½ years and passed away this past Friday evening, March 12, 2010, at Wesley Long Community Hospital.

Nathan was intelligent, hard working, determined, kindhearted, a jokester, a true friend, and a pain in the ass like the rest of us. His strength, determination and perseverance were an inspiration to many others. He loved traveling, going to the beach and the mountains, along with flying, boating, motorcycles, rare cars, good cigars and great music. He will be missed immensely as a husband, father, son, brother, friend, loved one. Good night our Papa.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 15, 2010, at Forbis and Dick Guilford Chapel. Pastor Kenneth Hayes will officiate the service. Visitation will be today from 2 to 4 p.m. at Forbis and Dick Guilford Chapel, and all other times at the home.

Thank you to Dr. Sherrill and staff at Regional Cancer Center in Greensboro, Dana Farber Institute in Boston, Wesley Long Hospital staff in Greensboro, Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, our friends at TIMCO, our Novartis friends, our neighbors, personal friends and family for helping him push forward with the positive words, support and love they shared.

Nathan is preceded in death by both grandfathers and his stepgrandfather. Letters, cards, pictures and great stories will graciously be accepted.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his honor to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro at www.hospicegso.org, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405; or Planned Pet hood Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic at www.hspiedmont.org/spay, 4527 West Wendover Ave., Greensboro, NC 27409. Forbis and Dick Guilford Chapel are assisting the Van Lare family. Online condolences may be received at www.forbisanddick.com.