Obituary of Gerald C. Van Tilburg

Gerald C. Van Tilburg, 91, of Midland Park, passed away on August 9, 2016 at the Christian Health Care Center. He was born on November 18, 1924 in Syracuse, New York. Jerry was a World War II Army Air Force Second Lieutenant serving from 1943-1946. He was a cryptographer in the 108th Army Airways Communications System Squadron (85th AAF Base Section) stationed in Rome and Naples. After his discharge, he attended RPI and graduated with a degree in metallurgical engineering. He worked at American Metals Climax for his entire career. On September 8, 1951 he married his loving wife, Barbara Houck, who survives. They were just one month shy of celebrating 65 years of marriage. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters Carol Bonella and her husband, Joe, of Cumberland, MD and Janice Detz and her husband, Ronald, of Woodstock, GA and one son Gerrit Van Tilburg and his wife, Marianne, of State College PA. In addition, there are seven grandchildren: Robert Lancaster and his wife Lindsay, Lynn Sipes and her husband Daren, Jonathan Lancaster, Neil Van Tilburg, Kristen Van Tilburg, Martyn Detz, Georg Detz, and three great-grandchildren. Jerry was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ridgewood where he was active as an elder, deacon, and Sunday school teacher. Graveside services will be held on Sunday, September 4, at the Fair Lawn Memorial Cemetery, at 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Salvation Army or Doctors Without Borders. Online condolences can be made at www.vpfh.com