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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert “Bob” Hadley Van Alstine on March 11, 2025, at the age of 93 in White Salmon, Washington. Bob was born in Cut Bank, Montana, on April 17, 1931, to William Alexander Van Alstine and Erselia (Lucille) Narducci Van Alstine. He was the youngest of five children, a fraternal twin. His siblings, oldest to youngest, were Wanda Alaire Shipp, Betty Lucille Dean, William Aldred Van Alstine, and his twin Berton Wesley Van Alstine. After graduating high school, Bob attended college for two years at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, a Lutheran college noted for its music program. He and his twin brother Bert enlisted in the Navy for four years starting in 1952, stationed in Monterey, California. After two years in Monterey, they were sent to Guam for the remainder of their duty and were discharged in 1956.
Bob loved singing with his twin brother Bert and they would often sing and entertain their fellow sailors. While stationed in Monterey, he visited his sister Wanda, who was living in White Salmon, and there he met his future wife, Sherry. After his military service, Bob proposed to Sherry and enrolled in college in San Jose, California, and Sherry transferred there from Oregon State College. They married on June 22, 1957, at the White Salmon United Methodist Church. A year later, their first child, Tracy, was born in San Jose. In 1959, they moved back to White Salmon, where Bob went to work at Oregon-Washington Telephone Company, later called United Telephone Company of the Northwest, for Sherry’s dad Earl Dean who was the president. They had two more children, Robert W. and Kelly. His telephone career spanned 27 years starting as a lineman and working his way into the director of human resources.
Those who knew Bob know he was passionate about his family, his friends, and his music. He loved to tell stories and give people advice to better their lives. A brilliant musician, he considered himself primarily a vocalist but was an amazing pianist as well. He sang in and directed many choirs throughout his life, including the Robert Van Trio, the Robert Van Singers, the United Methodist Church Choir, and in 1989, he founded the Mid-Columbia Community Choir that did Christmas Cantatas on both sides of the Columbia River. He directed that choir for 14 years, and it still thrives today.
Other important aspects of Bob’s life include his instrumental involvement in the White Salmon Centennial in 2007, being an active member of the Rotary Club of White Salmon-Bingen, and being obsessed with walking daily. Bob leaves behind a lasting legacy of love and service. He was a cherished presence in the lives of all who knew him, and his memory will forever live on in the hearts of his family and friends.
Bob is survived by his wife Sherry Van Alstine of White Salmon; daughter Tracy Van Alstine; son Robert W. Van Alstine and his wife, Tanya Van Alstine; daughter Kelly Durand and her husband Judd Durand; grandchildren Jenni Nielsen (Brandon), Amber Struck, Sazja Sears (Travis), Bruce Van Alstine (Maya), Dylan Durand and Ava Durand; and great-grandchildren Eli Nielsen, Ella Nielsen, Addison Yates, Zoe Sears and Axl Sears, plus one on the way.
A celebration of life will be held on April 19 at the United Methodist Church in White Salmon at 11 a.m. Memorial contributions in his name can be made to White Salmon United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 934, White Salmon, WA 98672, or Rotary Club of White Salmon-Bingen P.O. Box 251, White Salmon, WA 98672. Gardner Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
To plant a tree in memory of Bob Van Alstine as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.
As a fellow Rotarian, I was very fond of Bob. He was always smiling and engaging with people. Seeing him walk around town was a comfort. Bob was a sweet heart of a guy who cared about his community. He will be missed and remembered with kindness. Tammara Tippel
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As a fellow Rotarian, I was very fond of Bob. He was always smiling and engaging with people. Seeing him walk around town was a comfort. Bob was a sweet heart of a guy who cared about his community. He will be missed and remembered with kindness. Tammara Tippel
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.