Jack Martin VanEck

1941 - 2021

Jack Martin Van Eck
Savannah
Jack Martin Van Eck, 80, passed away on Saturday, June 19, 2021. He was born May 26, 1941 in Chicago, IL to the late Martin and Beatrice Van Rosendale Van Eck. His father was a transportation engineer, choir director, and avid singer, while his mother was a piano teacher. Mr. Van Eck carried on their passion for classical music, singing continuously in choirs with his distinctive lyric baritone voice. He sang with the Chicago Symphony Chorus and Music of the Baroque and was frequently an invited soloist in the Chicago area. He sang in many choirs upon moving to Savannah, including the St. John's Church, the Savannah Philharmonic, and I Cantori.
Mr. Van Eck also had a deep fascination and facility with science. He studied chemistry as one of the charter students at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL. During his 42 years with Sherwin Williams, Mr. Van Eck held many responsibilities related to research and development. As a chemist, he created automotive paint formulas; as a mechanical inventor, he oversaw a machine shop that designed systems and tools to assess paint. He took great pleasure in building and creating inventive solutions for problems big and small.
Mr. Van Eck is preceded in death by his older sister, Nelvie Canty. He is survived by three daughters, Kathryn Van Eck, Beatrice Van Eck (Todd Walker), and Jacquelyn Martínez Van Eck (Jorge Martínez), and by one son, Jonathan Van Eck (Aline Fruit). Survivors include his younger sister, Beverly Van Eck, and four grandchildren, Beatrice Jane and Bridget Kathryn Van Eck Walker, and Efrén William and Esme Teresa Martínez. He leaves behind his former wife, Kathryn Prince Van Eck, who was the Director of Music Ministries at Independent Presbyterian Church in Savannah, GA. He will be missed by many friends through his volunteer and choral memberships.
A service in his memory will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 25th at St. John's Church in Savannah, GA.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please send donations in memory of Jack Van Eck to America's Second Harvest, where he frequently volunteered. Donate at www.helpendhunger.org or via mail at America's Second Harvest, 2501 East Presidents St., Savannah, GA 31404. Call 912-721-1794 with questions.
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Savannah Morning News
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