Obituary of Richard James Van Gemert

Richard James Van Gemert (Dick), age 88, beloved husband of Tina Fischer Van Gemert of Fairfield passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 16, 2024 at his home with his loving family by his side. Born in Grand Rapids, MI on May 8, 1936, he was a son of the late Herman and Lucille (Lievense) Van Gemert and was a longtime resident of Fairfield.

He received a bachelor's degree in engineering from the University of Michigan and later graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton Business School's senior executive program. He began his flying career in 1960 with the U.S. Navy, where he spent five years and rose to the rank of lieutenant as a Naval Aviator.

Dick was an avid sailor, sailing the East Coast of the United States. But he delighted in brief cruises around Long Island sound with family and friends. A confident and skilled captain, his hospitality on the seas knew no match and turned many a land-lubber to a seafarer.

He was an aviation industry stalwart, known for being magnanimous with his time, his knowledge and insights. In 1966, he earned the Convair Naval Aviation Award for Excellence and transitioned into business aviation with Xerox, where he would remain for 25 years. During his tenure with Xerox, he received the Ziff-Davis Corporate Pilot of the Year Award for his leadership in integrating modern management practices into corporate aviation.

Dick was actively involved in numerous associations, including as chair of the International Flight Safety Foundation Corporate Advisory Board, member of the NBAA board of directors, member of the NATA business management committee, chairman of the noise abatement committee of the Westchester Pilots Association and the Westchester Airport Advisory Committee, and a governor of the International Flight Safety Foundation, among others.

In 2009, both NATA and NBAA honored him - the former with the Ong Memorial Award and the latter with the John P. "Jack" Doswell Award—in recognition of his commitment to excellence in business aviation. Both awards were among the associations' highest honors.

In addition to his beloved wife of 41 years, Tina, survivors include his four children; Michael Van Gemert and his wife Heather, Holly del Rosario and her husband Ric, Carolyn Van Gemert, and Bradley Van Gemert and his wife Elizabeth, as well as a sister; Barbara Duiven and her husband John aa well as 13 loving grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, William Van Gemert.

Friends and relatives may greet the family on Friday, July 12, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, CT.

A funeral service with full military honors will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at the funeral home. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516  www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate