Submitted by: Dan Rich

Camiel Robert VanDeWalle

Jan. 11, 1923 - Oct. 9, 2008

South Bend Tribune 10/12/2008
SOUTH BEND - Camiel Robert "Bob" VanDeWalle, 85, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 1:25 a.m. in the Saint Joe Regional Medical Center surrounded by his wife and children who loved him very much. Bob was born on Jan. 11, 1923, in South Bend, IN, to the late Peter and Mary (Landuit) Van De Walle. He attended Central High School and had the famous John Wooden as his homeroom teacher his freshman year. In 1949 he married the beautiful Rose A. Rucano. They enjoyed 59 years of marriage. They were always together. Dad proudly served his country in WWII in the 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion where he fought in the Battle of Normandy. He was employed at Studebaker's, the Brunswick Pro Shop next to the BowlMor, Longe Optical and Lee Opticians during his working years. In his teenage years he was an exceptional tumbler. As time went on he enjoyed watching sports and old Westerns on his big-screen TV. He loved to golf and bowl and did so once a week until he passed away. He always gave 100% to everything he did which was one of the reasons he was inducted into the South Bend Bowling Association Hall of Fame. He also enjoyed playing cards, doing crossword puzzles, and going to the Four Winds and Blue Chip Casinos. People loved dad. He treated everyone with kindness. He was an easy-going, fun to be around guy with an infectious laugh. Dad loved his family and his grandkids, and we all loved him. He will be greatly missed more than words can express by everyone who knew him.

Dad is survived by his best friend and wife, Rose; his children, Robert Van De Walle (Debbie) of Granger, Denise Van De Walle of Bowling Green, OH, Debbie Skwarcan (Ron) of South Bend; and three grandchildren, Cassie Van De Walle, Stacie and Kelly Skwarcan. Also surviving are his sisters, Martha Horvath of South Bend and Mary Ann Fredericks (Gene) of Bonita Springs, FL.