Harold James Van Kauwenbergh

EAU CLAIRE/GREEN BAY- Harold J. Van Kauwenbergh, age 83, longtime resident of Eau Claire, died peacefully at Heritage Senior Living Center in Monona, on Saturday, March 31, 2012, surrounded by family. He was born on April 9, 1928, in Green Bay, the son of Jack and Edna (LeCuyer) Van Kauwenbergh. He graduated from Green Bay West High school, and served in the U.S. Air Force as a radioman aboard rescue aircraft from 1948 until 1952, stationed in Guam and Michigan. After the military, he married Gladys M. DeBauche and worked for the Wisconsin Telephone Company until his retirement as a foreman in 1991. Promotions in the company moved him from Green Bay, to LaCrosse, Appleton, Wausau, Superior and then Eau Claire. He was an avid deer, turkey and grouse hunter and fisherman; a scoutmaster; and youth league baseball coach. Harold was a lifelong Lions club member, serving as chapter president numerous times, and was a driving force with their eye glass donation and eye donor programs. He is survived by his is wife, Gladys of Monona; brother, Robert (Ellie) of Green Bay; sons, Steve of Tuscumbia, Ala., Gary (Darlene) of Fitchburg, Wayne of Lauderdale, Minn., and Peter (Jennifer) of Eau Claire; daughter, Lynn Ojibway of La Crosse; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Edna; and sisters, Mary Lou Piantek and Elaine Mayer, all of Green Bay. A private service for the immediate family will be held in Monona, followed by memorial service and internment at a later date in Fort Howard Cemetery in Green Bay.