Herman Robert Van Lier (1939 – 2016)
Herman Robert Van Lier passed away suddenly at his home at Warm Beach on Wednesday, May 4th, with his family present.
Herm was born November 3rd, 1939, to Dr. Pieter and Nelly Van Lier in Semarang on the Island of Java, in what was then the Dutch East Indies.
When the Japanese invaded the islands at the beginning of WW2, the men of the Dutch colony were shipped to prison camps in Japan, while the women and children were interned on Java. Herm's brother Pieter was born in one of the camps. In order to get extra rations, Nelly taught Herm to help knit socks for the Japanese soldiers.
Following the liberation of the islands at war's end, the Van Liers were reunited and returned to Holland. The family immigrated to the United States when Herm was eight years old and eventually became naturalized citizens. They settled in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where Herm and Piet completed grade school and high school. Herm went on to attend Augustana College and graduated in 1963 from Sioux Falls College.
After graduation, Herm married his college sweetheart, Karen, and they began their life together as a young navy couple. Herm's Navy career spanned a total of 28 years at duty stations in the Panama Canal Zone, where son Pieter was born; on board the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany homeported in San Diego, where son Matt was born; CINCUSNAVEUR London England; and Jim Creek Naval Radio Station east of Arlington WA, where he served as Executive Officer. He completed his career in the Navy Reserves and attained the rank of Commander.
As Director of Police Services, Herm set up the 911 emergency response system for North Snohomish County, and he had an 18 year career with the Boeing Company as a Security Administrator overseeing classified military projects.
A resident of the Warm Beach community since 1972, Herm was active in the Warm Beach Water Association, a volunteer with the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management, and was a member of the Stillaguamish River Clean Water District Advisory Board at the time of his death. He also spent many years as a Scouting volunteer in Stanwood, Lakewood, and the greater Evergreen Area Council.
Although not a pilot himself, Herm loved to spend time at the Arlington Airport and its aviation community. He was always ready to help on maintenance projects and enjoyed exchanging stories with his friends there.
Herm is survived by Karen, his wife of 52 years; brother Pieter of Grants Pass, Oregon; sons Pieter (Ruth) and Matt (Michele) of Stanwood; grandchildren David Scott (Shela), Cassandra (Rob), Casey and Carlee Van Lier; and great-grandchildren Faith, Jamison, and Laila Scott.
Gilbertson Funeral Home in Stanwood is handling arrangements. Memorial services will be held at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Stanwood on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at 11 AM, with a reception to follow. Donations may be made in Herm's name to the Stanwood-Camano Food Bank.
We Love you Dad. You will be missed but will be cherished in our hearts. We are all better for having known you and are lucky to have had you in our lives.