Henry "Hank" Van Gemert, 82, of Clearwater, Florida, passed away on Monday, January 26, 2009 at his home and under the loving care of his family and The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. A native of Rochester, NY, Hank retired to Clearwater in 1997 following a 30+ year career with Eastman Kodak. He enjoyed his years of retirement in Florida with his wife, Ruth, serving as Elder of his church, fishing with his friends, and relaxing in the sun. His great sense of humor will be missed by his many friends and family.
Hank enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17, serving in the Pacific Theater aboard a LSM, which made numerous beach landings during WWII. He returned to Rochester following his military tour where he worked and raised a loving family. Besides his wife of 47 years, Ruth, of Clearwater, he is survived by his daughters: Julia Cook, and husband, James, of Albion, NY and Carol Booth, and husband, Patrick, of Scottsdale, AZ; his sons: Major Mark Van Gemert (Army) and David Van Gemert, and wife, Melissa, of Phoenix, AZ; three grandchildren: Susan Cook, Michael Cook, and Jamie Booth; and his brothers: George Van Gemert of Manchester Center, VT and Dick Van Gemert of Del Ray Beach, FL.
There will be a memorial service held in the Fellowship Hall of his church, Bethel Presbyterian. 2905 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater, FL on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 11am. Interment with military honors will be held later from Bay Pines National Cemetery, St. Petersburg, FL. Should friends desire, donations my be made to The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760 in Hank’s memory.
Arrangements entrusted to Veterans Funeral Care, 15381 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760.
My sincere condolences to the family. I will miss Hank and our conversations about sports, relationships, and life. I trust that I will see you again someday. You will be missed!
We will miss Hank’s presence and humor at his church. He came as long as he could even when he was on oxygen until it became too much of an effort. He will be remembered for his level-headed, straight shooting view of life more than the COPD disease that slowed him down.
I’m sorry I never met Hank, but his daughter Julie is like my little sister. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love,
Jeanie
I am sorry I didn’t get to meet Hank. But his daughter is like a little sister to me. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love,
Jeanie
Julie, I was sorry to hear about your dad. My sincere condolences to your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Julie: Sorry to here about your dad. I never met him, however I know how you are feeling.
I am so sorry I didn’t know about this message sign in. I just discovered it tonight. I will miss Hank very much. He was a great friend to me Bill and the children. I use to love watching him with the babies. He seemed to enjoy having them around. Always playing with them. He is missed.