VAN GERDES  Dec. 23, 1946 - Dec. 1, 2012

1975: 1580-96 Mendocino Dr., Chula Vista, CA

1985:  4904 West Golden Lane, G1endale, AZ

Van Alfred Gerdes, 65, of Prescott Valley, AZ, and formerly of Glendale, AZ, husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Dec. 1, 2012. He was born in Anamosa, IA, on Dec. 23, 1946, one of two children.

Van graduated from Glendale Community College with an associate's degree in liberal arts. He lived in Coralville, Iowa, until joining the United States Navy in 1966. In 1970, he moved to Fallon, NV, and married his wife of 40 years, Rebecca. They started a family in Fallon, having one daughter, Nicole, and two twin boys, Jason and Justin.

The family moved to Arizona in 1976, and Van left the Navy in 1977. Van worked for the Department of Contract Management Administration for 20 years before retiring in 2002. Van devoted his life to his wife and family, serving honorably in the Navy. Van volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees, acting as president for two chapters and filling many other positions. He may now rest in eternal peace.

Van is survived by his wife of 40 years, Rebecca; three children, Nicole (Daniel), Justin (Carlyn) and Jason; two grandchildren, Ethan and Kaylan; and his brother, Greg.

Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, at Veterans Administration Hospital Chapel, 500 Highway 89N, Prescott, AZ. In lieu of flowers, Van requested that a donation to the Prescott VA's hospice program be made