Robert Joseph Van Handel was born Feb. 5, 1922 in Appleton, WI into a large family of German, Dutch and Belgian ancestry. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Army and trained as a finance officer. During a fueling stop on the way to a new post in North Africa during WWII, he was specially chosen to remain on the American base in Georgetown, British Guiana (now Guyana). In the curious ways these friendships sometimes form, he met his future wife, Joyce Cameron Jones, at a dance neither had wanted to attend. She was from an even larger British Colonial family. They were married in Appleton, WI on June 22, 1943 and their first child, Sandra, was born there. The family then returned to Guyana where two more children, Christine and Robert, were born. Bob worked for a diamond mining and exploration company along the dangerous jungle rivers of Guyana; what a contrast to later years when he became a sedate banker! The family next moved to Kimberly, WI after which Bob re-enlisted in the newly formed U.S. Air Force. He continued as a Finance Officer, earning the rank of Captain. After stints in Germany and Japan, he was transferred to Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California where the new rocket plane, the X-15, was being tested by Chuck Yeager and others. Bob's next career was in savings and loan where he showed his genius as a turn-around artist for ailing companies in the United Financial family. During these years in Southern California two more children, Peter and David, were born. After retirement, Bob and Joyce moved to Portland, Oregon where their first two grandchildren lived. As great fans of the University of Portland - three of their children and first two grandchildren went there - they moved to North Portland to be near it. Thirteen years ago, after the death of his beloved wife, Bob volunteered during the construction and became one of the founding residents of Assumption Village. Bob was a devoted Catholic father, a member of the Holy Name Society and a Secular Franciscan. He believed in praying the Rosary together as a family. He was also a great believer in education. Although he himself earned professional certifications, he was proud to see each of his children graduate from college. He also passed on to his family a great love of music and dancing, from symphonic works to Lawrence Welk and from the tango to swing. He particularly loved to hear amateur ensembles. Bob was an expert gardener as well, particularly with dahlias and African violets. In many ways always a child at heart, he volunteered at the Cathedral School which his grandson David attended. He was an enthusiastic follower of football, especially the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Redskins. He is survived by his 5 children, 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.