Robert Louis Van Dielen Sr., born on Jan. 23, 1933, in Wabash, Indiana, died July 9, 2020, at his home in Oracle following a short illness.
After high school, he had a good job working for a business making different kinds of containers. Just when things were going well and he was getting ready to get married, Uncle Sam called. Robert ended up spending two years in Korea where, for a major part of the time, he was lucky enough to be a radio man and did not have to participate very much in the actual war involvement (of which he was always thankful).
After returning home from Korea, he went to work for a small water company in Wabash, IN that had holdings with the Arizona Water Company in Arizona. He moved with his wife, Wilma, and four small sons from Indiana to San Manuel in 1963 to work for the Arizona Water Company. A short time later he became the manager of the local Arizona Water Company, which included several small water companies in the area. He retired in the late 1990s.
Robert was very active in community service and loved the people in the Tri-Community. He was an active member of the Elks and participated in many of their programs. Bob was a member of the local Rotary Club. He was also a longtime member of the San Manuel Fire Department, serving as Board President before he became too ill to serve. He organized the start of and obtained a building for the San Manuel Senior Citizens so they could enjoy lots of different activities within their own community. He served as president for 25 years and had great success in getting people involved in different activities.
Robert loved living in Arizona after the humid summers and cold snowy winters in Indiana. He hated the snow after living in foxholes in Korea during two winters, where he was never dry or warm. Bob and his family enjoyed camping, fishing and general sightseeing in Arizona where they had many fond memories of family activities which included taking his grandchildren on his camping trips and teaching them to fish, camp, cook and learn to get along together.
There will be no memorial service as per his request. He will be interred in Wabash, Indiana.