Obituary of Van Scott

Van Bryan Scott 10/14/31 - 6/22/11 Van Bryan Scott died Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at home in Reston, Virginia, after a long illness. He was born in Pecos, Texas on October 14, 1931 to Daisy Fitzgerald Scott and Earl Charles Scott. Van grew up in west Texas and eastern New Mexico with his parents and sister Grace. In his early years, Van became an avid reader and enjoyed playing piano, trombone, and cello. He studied piano until a chemistry mishap damaged his hand ending his ability to play. He was the drum major of his high school marching band. Van attended Rice University in Houston where he received a degree in German, with a minor in Comparative Religion. After graduation, he remained in Houston and began a civil service career with the U.S. Customs Service. Van met his future wife Ingeborg Schwarz in Houston. They were married in 1955. Their son, Klaus, was born in 1956 and was joined by a daughter, Sybille, in 1966. In Houston, Van and Inge enjoyed a wide circle of friends, both Texan and from abroad. He served as the drum major of one of Houston's bagpipe bands that performed for visiting dignitaries at the Port of Houston. In the 1960's, the federal government sent Van to California to study Operations Research and Systems Analysis at UC Irvine and at the RAND Corporation. He was subsequently posted to U.S. Customs headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he served through the remainder of his career. The family made their home in Reston, Virginia in 1966. In addition to passions for reading and cycling, Van was a licensed pilot and flew his friends and son, Klaus, on various jaunts on the eastern seaboard. He was also an avid owner of several Citroen cars at various times. He enjoyed many summer vacations at Cape Cod, MA, pursuing his passion for reading, bicycling, and hosting family and friends. Survivors include his wife, Ingeborg, son Klaus (Joellen) of Davis, CA, daughter Sybille of Reston, VA, and granddaughter Molly Jo Scott of Davis, CA. He is also survived by his sister Grace Moore of Lynnwood, WA, niece Bonita Jorgenson of Bellevue, WA, and nephews Scott East of Bellevue, WA, Charles East of Mont Blanc, France, Edward Walker of Bellevue, WA, Texas East of Stamford, CT, and Peter Schwarz of Dresden, Germany. He is predeceased by his siblings, Bonita and Robert. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heartland Hospice, 3900 Jermantown Road, Suite 460, Fairfax, VA 22030