I’m so sorry Pop, Mommom, Lisa, Jay, Matt and Jessie. I loved talking and seeing Van. He was a good man and I would miss him, especially on the holidays when we would have those great conversations. I’m praying for you all!!

Mary and Steve

Van has volunteered to help me on many projects at JPPM and kept me on my toes with all the information he carried in his head. I will miss him! He is a true friend!
Betty

Van loved the history of Calvert County. He was so incredibly smart and shared his knowledge with so many. Condolences to his family and friends.
Grace Mary Brady

To Jeff and family,
I grew up with Van and he was always kind and giving of his many talents. We will miss him dearly as his many friends will too. Our love and sympathy are with everyone ❤️

So sorry to hear this. I saw him at the Prince Frederick Library on Friday, April 29th.
I always enjoyed talking with him.
Rest In Peace, Van..

I was fortunate to have known Van for many years. I first met him when we started 6th grade together at Calvert Middle School. We continued to have many classes together until we graduated from Calvert High in June, 1970. Van was brilliant with some of the history and many other facts that he knew.
I would occasionally see him over the years as we both grew older. Sometimes, it was being surprised as I visited a Viking ship replica and realized that the well dressed Captain was Van. Sometimes, it was in local history presentations at the Calvert Library, Jefferson Patterson Park, or Calvert Marine Museum. He often had extra knowledge to share with the audience in addition to what the speaker had presented. He had a wealth of knowledge of local history and other topics. He had a ready smile and a good sense of humor. My sympathy to his family and other friends.
Sincerely, Charles Bennett, fellow member of the Calvert High Class of 1970

Van was one of a kind. His round face always had the hint of a grin, as though he were already thinking of a long and amusing story that he would tell you. I have known him all my life, now nearly sixty five years, and cannot recall a single cross word from him, except perhaps in some titanic battles with Jeff. For someone who lived alone, he loved being with people: standing, talking, listening, talking… And for someone so alert to others, and concerned for them (especially his nieces and nephews), he lived a large part of his life in the past, in an imagined world where fact and fantasy were woven together, and where none other than Jackson Ireland could be captain of a Viking longship. He made an impression in both worlds. I love him and miss him. Jamie

I knew Van from the years when I worked at Drug Fair. He was at Calvert Bank and the branch office was in a trailer in the parking lot. He was always friendly and had a smile on his face.
Over the years he became my “tractor buddy”. Going to auctions and talking tractors. He had a vast knowledge of old farm machinery and helped me find a few pieces of equipment.
We made 3 or 4 trips to Pennsylvania to haul a couple of old tractors to Maryland.
I enjoyed every trip.
Now that I spend most of my time in SC we haven’t see one another too often but kept in touch via text.
I will miss him.

Van was such a unique, interesting person. He was always had a kind word, but was never outspoken He always seemed to be able to spread his wealth of information in such a reserved way, yet always with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. His love if history shined through. You will be missed my friend.

Sorry to hear this. I enjoyed talking to him many, many times. I will miss that. The museum will miss him as I will.
Larry Brown
Chesapeake Beach Railroad Museum

Sometimes words fail me; but Van seldom did. He was a steadfast crewman, and a wise skipper, in the Longship Company and a fast friend ashore. His knowledge of tools, antique and otherwise, and how to apply them were a great asset to us.

We shall miss him.

Bruce Blackistone, Longship Company, Ltd.

Van, you were my friend since seventh grade. You were unique, and one of a kind. We made a lot of memories through the years, especially our annual Halloween trips to Blood Manor. We had a lot of fun times. I will miss my almost daily messages on Facebook. Van, will be missed.

Van was my friend and a exceptional volunteer with a deep love and knowledge of history. He played a leadership role in the establishment of and continuity of Farm Heritage Days, which continues as Children’s Day on the Farm At Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum. His wide ranging knowledge, excellent memory and quick wit made him a conversational joy. He respected my wife’s dedication to humane causes in Calvert County and daily forwarded her humorous cartoons about cats. He was so proud of his family’s long farm heritage in Calvert County and old world roots. Van made the most of life and friendships. He is now steering the ship of his soul to find the answers to his historian questions that he developed over a well lived life of learning. We will be with you in our thoughts and prayers at tomorrow’s services. Wayne Clark, founding Director of JPPM.

On behalf of The Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum, we extend our sincere condolences to Van’s family. Van volunteered at the museum and was steadfast in his dedication to the telling of the museum’s history as well as that of local and Calvert County history. May he rest in peace.

So very sad to hear of Van’s passing. A wonderful man we will all miss greatly.

Van was one of my very favorite customers at Calvert Library. He always regaled me with the best stories of his exploits on Viking ship reenactments, being a spirit at the annual Halloween Pie gathering, meeting Vincent Price, and more. I always cheered right up when he came to my desk; I knew a good story or a bad joke was coming my way. I will truly miss seeing him. What a legend.

I know Jeff will miss docking with you

Jackson, You were such a good friend to Calvert; I always enjoyed our discussions when we ran into each other at events and always learned something of interest from them. I will miss our talks, and so will the County; it has has lost a loyal friend.