David Haskins Van Vleet

David “Dave” Haskins Van Vleet was born in Buffalo, NY in 1929, son of Margaret Adams Haskins Van Vleet and Charles John Van Vleet. He graduated from Nichols School in Buffalo, spent one year at Manlius Military Academy, then graduated from Syracuse University in 1952, having been a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and the ROTC military program. He married Marilyn Webster Brown that summer and took a commission in the Army Infantry, serving on the front line as an officer for the 5th Regimental Combat Team in Korea. He returned to the States in 1954, having completed his service with the US Army.

Marilyn and Dave lived in Charleston, West Virginia before moving to Lake Worth, FL in 1956. They lived for 30 years on the south end of Lake Osborne and then moved to Atlantis. They also enjoyed a summer home in the mountains of Waynesville, North Carolina.

Dave entered the life insurance business in 1964 and spent 34 years as an independent agent and Certified Financial Planner. He was active in the community, including 26 years as “Mr. V”, the senior high school Mariner Scout leader. He headed the Lake Worth Swimming Association for many years, and for 25 years took game film of the Lake Worth High School football program where he was a member of the Trojan 20 Booster Club. He served on both the Lake Worth Utility Authority and the Palm Beach County Solid Waste Authority. In 1983, Dave and Marilyn were honored with Book of Golden Deeds from the Exchange Club of Lake Worth.

A long time member of Lakeside United Methodist Church, Dave served on many of their boards, as well as on the Salvation Army Board. He had been an active member of Rotary since 1968 and served as President in 1987. He spent many years with the Rotary District Student Exchange Program, with Marilyn and him keeping seven high school exchange students in their home, and sending a number of young people to Europe.

Married 70 years, Dave and Marilyn were avid hikers, bicyclers, and travelers, and loved to take pictures. They traveled throughout the US, Europe, the British Isles, the Far East, and South America.

Dave is survived by his wife Marilyn and children Sally Buck, married to Robert Buck; David Jr., married to Kathleen Rower; and John, married to Dale Ackerman. Grandchildren include: Brian Buck (Julie), Lori Buck Sesler (Josh), Kristi Van Vleet, Kyle Van Vleet (Courtney), Amy Van Vleet Petriello (Nick), and Matthew Van Vleet. The current great-grandchildren count is seven.

Dave leaves an amazing legacy of service, kindness, and helpfulness, and was a role model for his family and many others.

A service will be held Saturday, Feb. 4 at 11:00AM at Lakeside United Methodist Church, 801 12th Ave. South, Lake Worth, FL 33461.

Arrangements provided by:

Dorsey E. Earl Smith Memory Gardens Funeral Home and Cemetery

3041 Kirk Road, Lake Worth, FL 33461

www.Dorsey-Smithmemorygardens.com

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Salvation Army, Rotary Foundation, Boy/Girl Scouts, Lake Worth Community High School Band or Dollars for Scholars, or Lakeside United Methodist Church.

Salvation Army Lake Worth Center

4051 Kirk Rd Lake Worth FL 33461

Rotary Foundation

The Rotary Foundation | Rotary International

[https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary/rotary-foundation]

Lake Worth Dollars for Scholars

P.O. Box 1166 Lake Worth, FL 33460

Or email Dave Cantley [email protected]

Lakeside United Methodist Church

801 12th Ave South, Lake Worth, FL 33461

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dorsey-smithmemorygardens.com for the Van Vleet family.