Robert ""Bob"" Vande Ven

Robert “Bob” John Vande Ven, 78, was reunited with his wife in heaven on Thursday, October 16, 2014. Bob grew up on a farm in De Pere with family. After high school he served in the US Air Force. On October 13, 1962, Bob married Frances Lillian Nesvacil at Holy Trinity Church. He was employed at Fort Howard as an electrician for many years before starting up his own business, Bay Industrial Machine Corp., with his partners. He retired from Bay Industrial in 1990. Bob will be remembered as a patient, kindhearted, family man who always had a smile and was a child at heart. He was a gentleman, a provider, a veteran, a joker, and an honest and loyal person. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his two girls, as he and Fran raised their family. As time went on, he was blessed with five grandchildren and shared many precious years being a Grandpa. Recently, he was devoted to caring for his wife who had Parkinson’s disease. He remained a loving husband and caregiver until she passed in April of 2014. Bob had many devoted, lifelong friends. He especially enjoyed golf and going out for breakfast with his buddies. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his loving wife, Fran; brother Leland Van De Ven: Sister Edna Mae Ley; Brothers-in-law; Sisters-in-law and many close friends. He is survived by his daughters Holli (Larry) Surges and their children Bree, Gabrielle and Isaac; and Trisha (Earl) Buss and their children Martina and Renee. Family and friends may visit at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N. Webster Avenue in De Pere, on Monday, October 20, from 2:00pm until the time of service at 5:00pm. Pastoral Minister Steve Donovan will officiate. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com The family would like to extend a special thanks to the wonderful caregivers who made his battle with cancer as comfortable as possible: Green Bay Oncology: The entire staff, especially Dr. Ryan and his Nicole. St. Vincent Hospital: The entire staff, especially Carri on the 9th floor. Unity Hospice: The entire staff. And thank you to his friend, Ken Braun, with whom Bob shared a special friendship since childhood.