Obituary of John Vandenberg

John ("Jack") Roy Vandenberg Jr. passed away on Sunday morning, November 30, 2014 in Reston, VA. He was 69. Jack was born in Peoria, IL to John Roy and Margaret (Brannan) Vandenberg on July 22, 1945. He spent the first 18 years of his life in the Peoria area and graduated from Metamora Township High School in 1963. In high school, Jack was active in wrestling and drama and performed in every school play produced. Jack played major roles in two of the plays. He was also known as a first class prankster, a role he never lost. Jack, along with his two sisters and brother, helped their dad pour and move the 13,000 cinder blocks needed to build their home in the Far Hills area of Metamora, IL. The house was built on 6 acres of land. The Vandenbergs moved into the home in 1956 but it took until the end of high school to complete all the hardwood floors in the house. This 'little job" included cutting down 5 large oak trees, grooving, sanding, finishing, and laying down a separate design in each room of the house. In November 1965, as the Vietnam War escalated, he voluntarily joined the US Air Force. After basic training and technical school training (computer programming), he was assigned to the 22 Combat Support Group (Explosive Ordnance) and headed to Anderson Air Force Base in Guam for six months. As a young Buck Sergeant, Jack worked 12 hour a day 7 days a week in the Bomb Assembly Building, fitting the fins and nose assembly on bombs weighing from 500 to 2000 lbs. He also became an expert at disarming live bombs. He served three tours of duty as a Munitions Expert, supporting US Special Forces during the ArcLight bombing campaign. In addition to dangerous missions in Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, Jack volunteered for 47 missions as a "Hanger"- someone who hangs out of B-52 bombers in mid-air to crank loose bombs that impeded the plane's ability to land safely. His bravery, quick thinking, and accurate marksmanship saved countless American lives. As a result, Jack was the recipient of the Presidential Unit Citation and three AF Outstanding Unit Citations. After leaving the Air Force, he started his career in data processing and continued his education in the Detroit Michigan area. During a three-year period, he achieved two Associate Degrees: Business Data Processing and General Business (with Honors) from Macomb County (Michigan) Community College. Jack's professional career spanned 47 years in the data processing field; from designing, programming, converting, testing, and maintaining IT systems for a variety of Government Agencies including the Department of Defense, Air Force, Navy, and US Patent Office. He excelled at every position he held, receiving countless accolades from management and customers. Jack traveled all over the world and served in positions from a programmer to Vice President. His most challenging and fulfilling positions were the contracts he secured and performed in Saudi Arabia for the Ministry of Interior and the Saudi Army, Air Force, and Navy. One contract entailed automating their first plastics plant. He performed flawless software conversions for major Saudi and other international banks traveling to nine different countries to complete the work. Jack's passions included golf, wood working, fishing, poker and black jack, playing with his grandkids, working in the yard, Toastmasters, bowling, traveling, and just plain having fun. When his daughters, Kim and Becky, were young, he accompanied their classes on field trips. He gave both girls piggy back rides to bed at night. He treasured squirt gun water fights with his grandkids (where he used the garden hose) and decorating Christmas cookies with lots of icing and Red Hot candy (decorating the grandkids with icing at the same time). He loved IHOP and frequented it as often as possible with his good buddy, Dave Marshall. An animal lover, he shamelessly spoiled the family dogs, affectionately known as "The Boys." He was known for his love of filet mignon, asparagus, homemade cherry pie, extra hot cinnamon jelly beans, and his super-sized evening bowl of vanilla ice cream and strawberries. Jack was a tender and devoted husband and loved unconditionally. He and his wife, Andee, enjoyed history, crime shows, football, and making each other laugh. They traveled to France, Greece, Hawaii, the Caribbean, as well as throughout the U.S. During the past several years, Jack's medical issues plagued him ceaselessly. He and Andee worked tirelessly as a team to bravely confront and work through each challenge. Jack never dwelled on any illness; instead he always said he was "getting better" whenever asked because that is how he thought. He used his quick sense of humor, 'never complain' attitude, and sheer determination whenever things got tough. Jack's crystal clear blue eyes, love for his family, strong work ethic ("Never Give Up - Never Give In"), easy going nature, compassion for his fellow man, loyalty, contagious laugh, and incredible sense of humor will be missed always. He relished life, his wife, kids, and grandkids. Jack would want us to remember him as full of life, love, outrageous humor, and ready to conquer whatever was in front of him. Jack is survived by his beloved wife Andrea ("Andee"); two daughters - Kim Lanham (Trevor) and Becky Vandenberg, five grandchildren - Thomas Vandenberg, Jonathan and Gabi Cumberledge, and TJ and Katelyn Lanham, and two toy poodles - Durango and Rhodes. He is also survived by his siblings Mary Beth Steele (Steve) of Colorado Springs, CO, George Vandenberg (Mary) of Roswell, GA, Dr. Bob Vandenberg (Carole) of Athens, GA, Tom Vandenberg (Theresa) of California, MD, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Joan Gauwitz. A Memorial Service will be held at Floris United Methodist Church (13600 Frying Pan Road, Herndon, VA 20171) on May 1, 2015 at 9:30 am. After a short reception, the inurnment with Honors will take place at Arlington National Cemetery (Virginia side of Memorial Bridge, Arlington VA 22211) at 2:00 pm. All those attending the inurnment must arrive at the Auditorium no later than 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to Wounded Warriors Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org).