Obituary for Robert A. VanWart, Sr. Robert Alexander Van Wart passed peacefully in his sleep on November 18, 2018, in Exeter, NY, in the home he built and loved. Bob was born in Staten Island to Al and Lillian Van Wart. Upon graduating McKee High School in 1960, he joined the Navy and did tours in Europe and the Mediterranean.
In 1963, Bob joined the New York City Police Department and became a Navy Reservist. During that time, he started Van Wart Excavating Inc He worked as a police officer by night and operated his backhoe by day, until his retirement from the NYPD after 20 years.
He retired from his business in 1993. Bob was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Nansen Lodge, and the Contractors’ Association, all on Staten Island. Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, target shooting and fixing things.
He could literally fix anything. He was never happier than when he was hosting family and friends at his home upstate, especially when his grandchildren spent summers at “Camp Grandpa”. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Karen (Johnson), his beloved children Holly Van Hart (Ike van Cruyningen) of Saratoga, CA, Robert (Ursula) of Sayreville, NJ, and Dawn Rhodes (Stephen) of Morristown, NJ.
He adored being Pop-Pop to his six loving grandchildren, Thomas and Kirsten Van Wart, Skyler and Erik van Cruyningen, and John and Hunter Rhodes. Bob is also survived by his sister, Betty Lenning, of Tobyhanna, PA and brother Rev. Phil Van Wart (Nancy) of Huntingtown, MD, and many nieces, nephews, and friends of all ages and from all walks of life.
Friends are welcome to call on Friday, November 23 from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals at 28 Eltingville Blvd. , Staten Island, NY 10312, with services on Saturday, November 24 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Bob to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation (www. Tunnel2Towers.org) or Zion Lutheran Church, 505 Watchogue Blvd.
, Staten Island, NY 10314. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Robert A. VanWart, Sr. please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation , NOV 23.
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc. 28 Eltingville Blvd Staten Island, NY, US, 10312 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Robert’s Visitation begins. Visitation , NOV 23. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc. 28 Eltingville Blvd Staten Island, NY, US, 10312 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Robert’s Visitation begins.
Service , NOV 24. 11:00 AM John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc. 28 Eltingville Blvd Staten Island, NY, US, 10312 Order Flowers for the Service Guaranteed delivery before Robert’s Service begins.
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