Roy Richard Vanover

VANOVER-Roy Richard Vanover, was born April 4, 1924 i n Owensboro, Kentucky and passed away March 13, 2009 in Whittier, CA; just three weeks shy of his 85th birthday. In late 1925 his parents, along with him and his two brothers, moved to Akron, Ohio where Roy lived until entering the US Navy in early 1943. He worked at the Goodrich Tire and Rubber Company and then spent four years at the Studebaker Corp. in Vernon, CA. In the Navy, he served on the USS BUTTE until being discharged in January, 1946. He returned to his home town and resided until moving t o Montebello, and then to Whittier in early 1949. On October 1, 1951 he joined the Whittier Police Department rising through the ranks until promoted to Captain in 1963. In 1978 he suffered a heart attack followed by heart surgery forcing him to retire from the department in early 1979. He became a real estate agent for fifteen years, and was again forced to retire due to a second open heart surgery. Roy received an Associate Degree in Police Science from East Los Angeles Jr. College in 1962 and in 1967 his Bachelor's Degree in Police Science and Administration from Cal State Los Angeles. Additionally, he completed numerous graduate units from USC in police supervision and management brining him just short of his Master's Degree. He then earned numerous real estate units from Rio Hondo College. During this time he also passed the state required test, and became a Notary Public. His civic affiliations included the Whittier Fire and Police Assn., Los Angeles County Peace Officer's Assn., first presi dent of Whittier Municipal Credit Union for two terms followed by service o the Board of Directors for two terms. He was a past president of the Cosmopolitan Service Club of Whittier, a member of the Whittier Board of Realtors, and the National Assn. of Realtors, the National Notary Assn., and was a member of the Whittier Elk's Lodge for nearly twenty years. He is survived by his wife Donna of 23 years and four children from two former marriages. Daughter Patricia Tillman of Whittier and Kimberly DeThoma s of Vista, CA. Sons David of Whittier, and Scott of Ranch Santa Margarita, CA. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and many relatives and friends that will miss him. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the Heart care unit of Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital of Whittier, or the Police Department Relief Fund. Services are being held at White Emerson Mortuary on Friday, March 20, 2009 at 11am, preceded by a viewing beginning at 9:00am.