Elmer L. Van Tassel

Elmer Leroy Van Tassel, known as "Chuck", was born on May 4, 1926 to Leroy Van Tassel and Kate (Zabriskie) Van Tassel in Ramsey, NJ. Chuck graduated from Ramsey High School in 1944 before enlisting in the Navy. After WWII, he graduated from the Pennsylvania Military College in 1951 with a BS in Civil Engineering. He graduated from William Paterson College in 1971 with a Masters in Education. Chuck worked at Timber Structures, Inc. for twelve years and at EDC, Inc for twenty-six years as a Civil Engineer. He retired in 1993.

Chuck was a veteran of WWII- US Navy, June 1944-June 1946 (Gunners Mate Third Class), assigned to the Naval Armed Guard, sailing on trans-Atlantic convoy ships. He was also a veteran of the US Army, Korean Conflict from July 1951-November 1953 as 1st Lieutenant (Engineer Corp.).

In the early 1960's, he was a member of the Historical Hikers, under the guidance of Gardner Watts. He was an avid photographer and enjoyed walks. Chuck supported the Ironworks of Ringwood and Sterling, photographing the mines and furnaces. Chuck enjoyed fly fishing on the Beaver Kill, while exploring the Catskills. He became proficient at fly tying and rod making. He enjoyed wood carving and whittling.

Chuck was predeceased by his wife of 40 years, Betsey Van Tassel. His is survived by his children, Garrett Van Tassel of Kerrville, Texas, Juliana Lewis of Campton, NH and Mark Van Tassel of Weehawken, NJ. His step-children, Kathleen Knox Cooper and William Cooper of Westtown, NY, Robin Knox Schreiter and Bruce Schreiter of Lititz, PA and Paul Knox and Lo-Ami Knox of Pompano Beach, Fl. He had many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Chuck was a member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Airmont, NY. He was a member and Past Master (1978) of Hawthorne Fortitude Lodge 200 of Free and Excepted Masons of Ramsey, NJ. Chuck was recently presented with a 75 year award by the Phoenix Lodge, No. 168.

Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, June 21 from 10am-12pm at Wanamaker and Carlough Funeral Home, 177 Rt. 59, Suffern, NY 10901, where a chapel service follows at 12pm at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Airmont Lutheran Cemetery in Suffern, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to the Food Bank of Hudson Valley (foodbankofhudsonvalley.org) or The Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org)