Robert G. “Bob” Van Dyck

Robert G. “Bob” Van Dyck of Port Washington passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, at Lincoln Village. He was 89 years old.

Robert was born Jan. 8, 1935, in Appleton, Wis., to the late William and Marie (Kubiak) Van Dyck.

He was educated at St. Theresa’s Grande School in Appleton and Our Lady of Lourdes High School (now Central Catholic High School) in Marinette, Wis. Bob graduated with a bachelor of science degree from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis., in 1957.

Bob was united in marriage to Mary Behrendt on July 13, 1957.  Bob and Mary spent more than 67 years together. They were blessed with six children.

In 1958, Bob joined Bradner Smith & Co. After a two-year period in Chicago, Bob moved to Green Bay, Wis. He represented Bradner Smith in the eastern Wisconsin territory and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan from 1960 to 1979. In February of 1983, he was elected president of RPM in Schiller Park, Ill. He was elected to Bradner Central’s board of directors in February 1985 and was appointed executive vice president in 1986 and president of Bradner Central beginning Nov. 1, 1991.

Bob was a member of the Chicago Crime Commission, Chicago Chapter of the Presidents Association, Union League Club of Chicago, National Paper Trade Association, International Business Forms Industries, St. Norbert College’s Alumni Association and St. Norbert’s Golden Knights.

He was active as a 25-year member of the Society for Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. Twelve of those 25 years were spent singing with an organized quartet.

Bob was a vigorous boating enthusiast for more than 25 years, dabbled in music creativity/performance, enjoyed sports, was a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan and relished spending vacation time in Wisconsin and Phoenix with his family.

He is survived by his wife Mary; his six children, Daniel (Lisa), Peter (Judi), Julie (Don), William (Joan), Robert (Susan) and John (Jamie); 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; brothers James (Jeanne) and William (Joni); and sister Margie. He is further survived by other relatives and many friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Thomas.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, at St. John XXIII Catholic Parish, St. Peter of Alcantara Church, 1800 N. Wisconsin St., Port Washington. Father Patrick Wendt will preside over the Mass. The family will receive visitors at St. Peter of Alcantara Church from 11 a.m. until the Mass.

The Van Dyck family wishes to thank the doctors and medical care staff at Aurora Health and Lincoln Village, along with the staff at Horizon Hospice.

Bob always put God and his family first. He was pure goodness and will be missed greatly.

Eernisse Funeral Home of Port Washington is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.