Robert Van Houten, 65, of Manchester, passed away after a courageous battle with lung cancer on December 1, 2014, at the Elliot Hospital.
He was born in Newark, NJ on April 20, 1949, the son of Robert and Charlotte (McGowan) Van Houten. He was educated in East Brunswick, NJ and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from New Hampshire College.
Robert served four years in the US Air Force with Cryptic Intelligence. He was a devoted employee of the State of New Hampshire for more than 25 years before retiring in 2011. He started employment working for the NH Legislative Budget Assistant as a Manager for 11 years and then transferred to the Department of Safety as Administrator in the Business Office for 14 more years prior to retiring as their CPA.
He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, served on the allocations committee for the United Way and on the finance committee at St. Anne Parish, where he also sang in the choir. He enjoyed sharing his love of music with everyone. After retirement, Robert became a ME TV enthusiast. He was an extremely generous and happy man, who was always there for his friends and his family. Overall, he will be remembered as a loving husband and father.
His family includes his loving wife of 33 years, Diane (Trinity) Van Houten, of Manchester; his son, Michael Van Houten, of Boston; two sisters, Kathleen Van Houten, of Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, and Colleen Serrada and husband Peter, of Rome, ME; and his nieces and nephews. Robert is predeceased by both of his parents and a sister, Sharon Cech of Plattsburgh, NY.
SERVICES: Calling hours and funeral service will be held private and at the convenience of the family. Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to: The American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL, 60601.