Robert "Bob" A. Van Bergen's Obituary
Robert Alan (Bob) Van Bergen
June 15, 1948 - December 02, 2022
Robert A. Van Bergen, of North Ridgeville, Ohio passed away on Friday, December 2, 2022. In his final days, he fought a fierce battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia before finally succumbing.
Bob grew up in the Cleveland area, and in addition to being a loyal Browns and Indians fan, he was privileged to attend several professional championship sporting events. A favorite honor was throwing out the first pitch at a Cubs game in 2000.
Lifelong friends from John Marshall High School remained in close touch over the years. Graduating with a B.A. in business (& monkey business!) from Kent State University (1970), Bob cherished his Sigma Chi Fraternity and remained an active alum as a Lifelong Loyal Sigma Chi.
Bob spent fifty years in the hospitality industry; beginning at age 16 as a dishwasher at The Sheraton Hotel in downtown Cleveland. Spanning twenty-two physical moves during his career, he had a true talent as a Hotel/Resort General Manager (C.H.A.) for building cohesive teams. As a hotelier, Bob was particularly proud to serve as the Grand Opening GM for The Oxford Hotel, Sheraton Tacoma Hotel, Radisson Toledo, The Club at Hammock Beach, and Reunion Club & Resort. With each of the many properties that Bob managed, countless lifelong friendships have endured. Over 25 years as a member of SKAL International, Bob mentored and interned many aspiring hospitality school students. Under his leadership as President of Orlando SKAL in 2007, the Orlando SKAL Club won International Club of the Year award in Antalya, Turkey.
Bob recalled some of his favorite memories: playing sports with his sons; spending time with his 3 grandchildren; cruises with his wife, Mary; golfing; gambling; his and Mary’s awesome African Safari, to name only a few.
Bob is survived by his wife of 29 years, Mary; sons Scott and Matt (Sara); stepson John Phifer; 3 cherished Grandchildren – Sydney, Shea, & Bowen; sisters Carol Van Bergen and Mary Sharp (Jeff); Gayle Van Bergen – widow of brother Richard (dec.); former wife & mother to their two sons, Robin Van Bergen (Tom Carson); and so many extended family members who supported Bob during his lifetime and final weeks.
Private services for Bob will be Saturday, 12/10/2022 at Bogner Family Funeral Home, North Ridgeville, Ohio, and will be livestreamed on the funeral home Facebook page . In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donation’s in Bob’s honor to:
The Zeta Lambda Foundation (to support the Kent Sigma Chi Chapter that he loved and ensure that future generations benefit in the ways that Bob did). Donate through the foundation’s website (www.zetalambdafoundation.com) or check (mentioning Bob’s name) to Michael Davis, Treasurer, Zeta Lambda Foundation, 6131 Baneberry Dr, Westerville, OH 43082.
OR
The PEO Ohio Scholarships-Fund 2 (for assistance to qualifying recipients) Check (mentioning Bob’s name) payable to Ohio State Chapter PEO Sisterhood & mailed to Beth Cox, Exec. Asst., 7600 Tyler’s Valley Dr., West Chester, OH 45069.
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