Robert T. Van Slambrook

Van Slambrook, Robert T., January 3, 2023 age 81 of Brentwood, CA. Beloved husband of Bernadette. Loving father of Kevin (James) Cristbrook, Mark (Krista) Van Slambrook, Neil (Joanna) Van Slambrook and Damian Van Slambrook. Cherished brother of Jim (Holly) Van Slambrook. Predeceased by his younger sister, Carol, and younger brother, Chuck. Dear brother-in-law of Patricia (Seamus) Deeney and Joan Van Slambrook. Adoring grandfather of Christian (Graham) , Aidan, Michaela and Conor. Proud uncle of Gerald, Maureen, Nuala, Debbie, Dave, Greg, Amy, Kate, Doug and Heidi. Born October 27, 1941 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Detroit. Bob grew up in a close-knit family, the eldest of four children to Dolores and Vernon Van Slambrook. He attended St. Matthew Elementary, Notre Dame High School and graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Detroit. He was an avid trumpet player -- playing in the marching and concert bands of both high school and college as well as at innumerable proms, weddings and social gatherings. Upon earning a degree and graduating ROTC, Bob become a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army with time spent at Forts Riley, Benning, Bragg and Devens.Upon completing two years in the Army, Bob took his first job with a small engineering firm in Washington DC before joining the Federal Power Commission and, eventually, the Department of Energy. Bob met the love of his life, Bernadette, in November of 1964 in Boston. They courted for two years before marrying in June of 1966 at St. Thomas Moore Church in Arlington, Virginia. The newlyweds settled in Alexandria. Virginia and gave birth to their first son, Kevin, in February of 1968. Bob was transferred to San Francisco in 1969 and the young family settled in Walnut Creek, California -- the city in which his next three sons, Mark and Neil and Damian, were all born and in which the family was raised. Bob enjoyed playing tennis, being in a raucous bowling league (beer frames!), a spirited softball league (pizza and beer for everyone, afterwards!) and playing bridge whenever and wherever possible. A man of faith, Bob was a 25-year parishioner St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Walnut Creek, California and subsequently became a 20+ year member of St. Anne Catholic Community In Byron, California. In the early 1980's Bob's career transitioned into the private sector where he began working in Business Development for Bechtel Engineering and Construction until his retirement in 1999. Bob enjoyed the last three years of his storied career working in Hong Kong on the Kowloon -Canton Railway and Hong Kong International Airport during the historic Handover. Upon return to the United States. Bob and Bernadette sold the family home in Walnut Creek and moved into the vibrant Summerset Active Adult community in Brentwood, California. Bob especially enjoyed time traveling with family and friends all over the world, with extensive travels throughout Europe, Asia, India, Africa, South America, the Caribbean and having visited every one of the United States. (In 2022, alone, Bob travelled in January to the Mexican Riviera, in March to Hawaii, in April to Ireland, in July to Alaska, in August to Michigan, in September to Lake Tahoe, in October to his favorite seaside community of Carmel, California before returning, again, to spend his last holidays in his hometown of Metro Detroit.) Bob was loved by many and will certainly be remembered by all. May he Rest in Eternal Peace. Gathering Monday, January 9 th 9:30 AM until the Monday 10 AM Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, 3700 Commerce Road, West Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to The Society of St Vincent de Paul, 2800 Camino Diablo, Byron, California 94514 or donate online at donate.svdp-cc.org Arrangements by Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, Plymouth (734) 459-2250. To share a memory, please use the ‘Share a Memory’ tab on this webpage.

Robert T. Van Slambrook

October 27, 1941 - January 3, 2023