David Van Gend

David Van Gend also known as Dave, Dad, Grandpa, Gampi, and Boppi, 92, passed away peacefully November 22, 2022, at his home in Riverton, Utah surrounded by his loving family. David was born on March 6, 1930, in Rotterdam, Netherlands to parents Arie and Emilia Van
Gend, and was the only son of their five children. His family lived through the Nazi occupation during World War II. He served in the Dutch Airforce for nearly three years. He met his sweetheart, the love of his life, Sara Suzanna Duvalois with whom he married and moved to the
United States of America at the age of 22.

David became a citizen of the United States in 1955 and served 2 years in the US army. Through hard work and perseverance while still trying to learn English, he earned a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah as well as a degree in Business
Management from Loyola University in Chicago, IL. After graduation, he accepted a job with U.S. Steel where he built steel mills all over the world. He lived abroad for many of those years.

David and “Sue” (Sara Suzanna Duvalois) were baptized as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1953 and were later sealed in 1954 in the Salt Lake Temple. Recently on August 20th of 2022, they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Among all
the relationships he maintained, he always had a strong testimony of his relationship and truth of his Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for which he emphasized in so many family and church functions. Through this yearning, he served in many callings in the Church and together, he and Sue fulfilled 2 LDS missions to the Netherlands where he was instrumental in the development of The Hague Temple. In more recent years, he was so passionate about doing genealogy work for the church and his family.

While he wasn’t busy with all of his many accomplishments, David enjoyed the game of soccer as a player and later as a fan admiring the “Oranje” (Men’s Dutch National Team). He later became a very accomplished tennis player and enjoyed golf, often playing together with Sue.

David was such a loving and caring family man who had compassion for everyone he came in contact with. He touched so many lives through his acts of kindness and generosity. Our world was made so much better with him among us and he will be missed by all. His family knew that
this day would eventually come and he was prepared with the knowledge and understanding of the plan of salvation to take that next step to pass beyond this earthly trial. We now take solace that he is at peace and has been reunited with so many that he has waited patiently to see
beyond the veil. He is gone for now but his memory will never be forgotten and legacy will live on in this generation and many others to come. Thank you so much our brother, dad, grandpa, uncle, son, nephew and dear friend for the time we have shared. It is goodbye for now however, we move forward by keeping your memory close to our hearts now and forever.

David is survived by his loving wife & eternal companion Sue; his children, Dave (Cindy) Van Gend of West Valley City, and Shirley (Ray) Daniels of West Jordan; his grandchildren, David (Elle) Van Gend, Brandon (Talisia) Cluff, Rochelle (Austin) Somers, Rebecca (Josh) Anderson, Jennifer (Matt) Bullock, Natalie (Jeremy) Aragon, Chelsea (Cory) Ozuna, Lindsay (James) Lauritzen, Jerod Richards; 23 great-grandchildren who were the light of his life; his son-in-law, Jay (Roslyn) Geertsen; and his 4 sisters, Wilma Smit, Ann Sharp, Virginia Strong, and Emmy (Bob) Kattenhorn.

He is preceded in death by two of his daughters, Margaret (Margie) Van Gend, and Patricia (Pat) Geertsen; his granddaughter Stefani Richards; and his parents Arie and Emilia Van Gend; along with so many family members before him.

A viewing will be held, Tuesday December 6, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Parkway Ward in Riverton, Utah, 12120 South 1300 West. The funeral service will be Wednesday December 7, 2022, at 11:00 am at the same ward with a viewing one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy Utah. For those unable to attend the service in person, the family invites you to join via Zoom, at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88949653920. A free Zoom account is required and you will need to sign in to join the service.