Obituary of Jacob Joseph van Deel

Jake was born to Thomas and Jannigie vanDeel on December 28 1931 in Zeist, Holland (the Netherlands), He is survived by a sister, Renee, and her two adult children Caspar and Edith. As a young child, Jake’s family moved to a village near Rotterdam and stayed there till after the bombing.  They then moved to Uithuizen, to be near their grandparents. The family lived there until 1947 when they moved back to Driebergen, near Zeist. After this last move, Jake completed his school period and decided to join the Dutch Navy where he served for 6 years as an Engineman 1^st Class from August 1949 to his honorable discharge in July 1955.

During his service with the Dutch Navy Jake developed his skills and knowledge as a sailor.  After this service, Jake eventually traveled to Canada and then onto the USA in 1961 where he enlisted in the US Navy.  He served as a Machinist Mate.  Jake served on multiple ships operating in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific.  His service included assignments in and around Vietnam.  He was a recognized veteran of the blue water navy for his service during the conflict.  He was eventually assigned to the USS Dixie (AD-14) out of San Diego, CA from which he retired. 

Although Jake never lost his love for Holland, he applied for and completed his application for naturalization and received US Citizenship on May 27, 1966.  During his service, he met and married Marion K. Walthall, originally from Hawaii, on July 16, 1974.  They remained married until her death on July 23, 2008. 

After retirement from the Navy, Jake and Marion made their way to Bremerton, Washington, and the Navy shipyards where he transitioned into civil service and continued to serve using the skills he developed in the Navy.  Jake also retired from civil service.  During this time Jake and Marion moved to Lakewood, Washington, and bought a house.  They lived at this home for the rest of their lives making many friends within the community. 

Both Jake and Marion developed a strong and lasting friendship with a group of Hawaiians having a military background, calling themselves Pau Hana.  The group met regularly for coffee and seasonal parties.  Jake and Marion liked square dancing, loved to travel, and, with a large van, they enjoyed road trips around the USA. They visited Dutch cities around the USA as well as some national parks like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon.

Jake was a committed and caring man who took pride in caring for his wife and home.  When Marion became ill and needed special care, Jake provided all she needed.  This was the character that defined him. His life story, from a childhood in the war-torn Netherlands to a proud citizen of the USA and honorable veteran of the US Navy is amazing. He was an honorable, hardworking gentleman and a friend to all who knew him.

During his service in the US Navy Jake was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Ribbon with Bronze Star, and the Good Conduct Award (Third Award).

Jake passed away on December 25, 2020

 

Special Tribute from Jake's family. 

 

Jake,

 

Most families have that one family member who chooses to spread their wings more than others and find themselves living their lives far from their roots.

 

Jake, our brother, and uncle was one of them. He joined the Dutch navy very young which probably gave him a traveling spirit. After his Dutch service and a short stay in Canada, he joined the US navy, and doing so obtained the American nationality and settled definitely on the American continent.

 

A special long-distance bond exists with those family members, especially in those days without the internet and social media. There was no close daily contact with Jake, but letters informed us of the important events of his life, and vice versa.

 

We enjoyed the stories and pictures of our (grand)mother as well, and later those of his sister Renée. Both visited Jake on more occasions on the several addresses where the navy sent him.

 

During the years we were young Jake sent much appreciated Christmas presents. A way to be close on a long distance.

 

On the last occasion, Jake came to the Netherlands to visit his mother in Arnhem one last time, his nephew Caspar drove 6 hours with Jake to Paris to spend a night with his niece Edith and her family. As these moments were rare, they were very special, and it remains a lovely memory of family quality time.

 

The last family reunion was 2 years ago when his sister Renée and his niece Edith came to visit him in Lakewood. Again, a lovely memory of several days of quality time with Jake.

 

We will remember Jake the way he was then; genuinely happy and really enjoying the moments as they came, socializing easily, interested in the people surrounding him, proudly wearing his retired navy cap.

 

Rest in peace Jake.

 

In name of the family;

Renée van den Bergh-van Deel, sister

Caspar van den Bergh, nephew

Edith van den Bergh, niece