Obituary of Alan Sarge S. Van Keuren

Wevertown: Alan Sargent “Sarge” Van Keuren, 66, passed away Friday October 15, 2004 at his home after a heroic battle with cancer. Sarge was born in Providence, Rhode Island on May 18, 1938. He was the son of the late Arno S. and Ellen M. (Davis) Van Keuren. He was raised in Merrick, Long Island and graduated from Meephem High School. In 1956 he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Iceland with the 109th Tank Company. He was honorable discharged in 1958. From 1962 until 1966 Sarge was a member of the New York City Police Department stationed at the 77th Precinct in the Bedford/Stuyvesant District in Brooklyn. In 1968 he married Alyce (Vohs) Van Keuren. After many weekends vacationing in the Adirondacks they packed it in and decided that Johnsburg was the place to be and raise their family. They moved to the Johnsburg area in 1972 where he worked as a Plumbing and Heating Contractor until the time of his death. Sarge is predeceased by an infant daughter, Allison; his parents; and brothers, Wallace and Russell Peter. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Alyce; sons, Christian, currently serving as a Captain in Iraq with the US Army 1st Cavalry Division in Baghdad, and Kevin and his fiancée, Jennifer, of Derby, CT. He is also survived by his sister, Delores Seigel of Reno, NV; numerous niece and nephews, as well as a great number of good friends made during his very active lifetime, a very special group of guys at the Bennett Airfield in North Creek, and a very special young man, Matthew Kropp, whom he loved like a son. Sarge was involved in his community as a past scout master, served as a past president of the Johnsburg Dollars For Scholars Committee, and was on the Johnsburg Board of Assessment Review, and past president of the Glens Falls Pilots Association. Sarge took great pleasure in participating in hunting and fishing. However, his greatest joy was found in the air. As a skydiver in the early 1970’s he helped to define sport parachuting. Sarge was one of the first skydivers to jump at the Lake George Winter Carnival. His favorite activity was flying. Sarge could often be found on weekends at the North Creek Airport giving airplane rides to the people of the town. He gave many people in the town their first airplane ride, revealing the magic of flight and opening eyes to the great extent of the Adirondacks. The family would like to thank Dr. Sponzo, Jean VanAuken, and the wonderful nurses of the Pruyn Cancer Center for their care and compassion during this most difficult time. Also special thanks to the nurses on 3 West, Oncology at the Glens Falls Hospital. There will be no calling hours scheduled. A special memorial service celebrating Sarge’s life will be held at the control tower hanger of the Bennett Airfield (AKA – North Creek Airport) 11 am Saturday October 23, 2004 with Rev. Wayne Schoonmaker, pastor of the Calvary Bible Church in Wevertown, officiating. Weather permitting, fellow aviators are invited to arrive by air. Warm casual attire is recommended. Burial will be in Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, in Schuylerville at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Johnsburg EMS, Johnsburg, NY 12843, or the Pruyn Cancer Center. Arrangements are under the direction of the Alexander Funeral Home, Inc, North River.