Donald C. Van Roosen

1923 - 2016

Donald C. Van Roosen, a long-time resident of Winchester, MA and Pinehurst, NC, passed away on December 29, 2016 in Sandy, OR at 93 years of age. He was born in Boston on August 11, 1923. He entered the U.S. Army in April 1943 and joined the 29th Infantry Division in England as a Private in January, 1944. He landed in Normandy on D-Day at Omaha Beach; and was a prisoner of war for 10 days during the final assault on the City of Brest in Brittany. He received a battlefield commission in October 1944. Van Roosens combat decorations included the Silver Star; Bronze Star with 2 clusters, Purple Heart with 3 clusters, a Presidential Unit Citation, and the Combat Infantry Badge. After WWII, he continued his service in the U.S. Army Reserve for a total of 23 years of military service, including 12 years in Special Forces. He retired in 1970 as a Lt. Colonel. He graduated from Harvard College in 1949 and later worked in manufacturing sales and as an International Marketing consultant. His volunteer work included over fifty years with the Boy Scouts of America, receiving their highest awards, the Silver Beaver and the Silver Antelope in 1985. Don was married to Nancy Johnston Crough in 1950, and later to Marcia Hunnefield Vantine in 1987, both deceased. He had three children: Christine, Laurie Clarke, and Hugh; and 4 grandchildren: Annie and Dale Clarke, Allison and Hugh. He is sorely missed. The funeral will be held in Manchester, MA at a future date.