Robert J. Van Valkenburgh 85,  of East Meadow, New York passed away peacefully on November 19, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Robert is survived by Jean Ellen, his loving wife of 61 years and their 4 children, Debbie Smith (Patrick), Ken Van Valkenburgh (Mindy), Bob Van Valkenburgh (Susan), Linda Dengel (Brian). He is also survived by his 7 grandchildren, Brian, Christian (Danielle), Rachel, Nicholas, Jessica, Jamie, and Trevor. Robert is also survived by his siblings George Van Valkenburgh, and JoAnne Rollins. He is pre-deceased by his parents Joseph and Rose Van Valkenburgh, and his sister Rosemary Bien.

Robert proudly served in the United States Navy, before meeting his wife Jean early in his career at New York Life Insurance Company. He later went on to a long and successful career at Long Island University as the Director of the Data Center.

Bob’s passion was his family, but he also enjoyed fishing, painting, crafting bird houses, the outdoors, vacationing with his family in the Adirondacks, and being a part of the lives of all 7 of his grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at Massapequa Funeral Home (South Chapel), 4980 Merrick Rd, Massapequa Park, NY 11762, on Friday November 24, 2023 from 4 – 8 pm. Funeral Mass to be held on Saturday November 25, 2023 at 10am at Grace Episcopal Church in Massapequa. Interment to follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers the family asks you to consider donations to the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) and/or The Tunnel to Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org) in Bob’s memory.

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