R. H. VanValkenburg

R.H. "Van" VanVALKENBURG Sept. 17th, 1932-Nov. 10Th, 2004 R.H. VanValkenburg, age 72, died peacefully of natural causes at his home on Mats Mats Bay, near Port Ludlow, WA. He was preceded in death by his wife of 28 years, Leone (Balzan) VanValkenburg. "Van", as he was affectionately known, became a gentleman farmer after his retirement from the battery business & commercial property ownership in the Puget Sound area. He would often be seen riding his tractor or CAT through his property at Mats Mats with his dogs (Cowboy, Buckwheat & Pepper) nearby. He was early to bed (around 8:00) & early to rise (around 4:30). He'd have a pot of coffee polished off by the time most of us were hopping in the shower. Then, off to the farm to feed the horses & llama. Van was a well-known businessman in the Seattle area. He owned Standard Batteries & several Budget Batteries locations. His specialty was turning old gas stations into automotive strip malls. He served in the Army for 2 years during the Korean War in the Signal Corps. Van & Leone had 2 fantastic sons-John (45) & Mike (39). He found great joy in talking about business & family life with them almost on a daily basis. His grandchildren were always a source of happiness for Van. He loved to drive them around the farm or walk them down to the beach. He will always be remembered as "Cookie Papa" to them, because he kept a supply of iced oatmeal cookies for the kids & biscuits for the dogs. He is survived by his sons, daughters-in-law John & Kandice VanValkenburg of Kalispel, Montana; Mike & Jeannie VanValkenburg of Carnation, WA; brother-in-law Bill Holt; sister-in-law "Pink" VanValkenburg; grandchildren Amanda, Danielle, Emily & Steven VanValkenburg; step-granddaughter Danielle Yeisley & step-great granddaughter Hailey. He was preceded in death by his brother "Bud" VanValkenburg and 3 sisters Bobbie Lewis, Betty Russell & Dorothy Holt. Interment was private at Holyrood Cemetery in Shoreline. Kosec Funeral Home & Crematory in Port Townsend, WA. coordinated service arrangements. A big "Yeehaw" for "Van Van the Battery Man".