Herbert Norman Van Alphen

Windsor- Herbert Norman Van Alphen, 93 of Windsor CT, passed away on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at St. Francis Hospital after a long battle with cancer.

        Herbert was born in Torrington on October 1, 1923, son of the late John and Katherine (Weimann) Van Alphen. His love of country was evident by his leaving high school to serve as a Radarman 3rd Class in the U.S. Navy on the USS Sumter from 1943-1946. His military awards and decoration include the United States Victory Medal, the American Theatre Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal with 2 stars, and the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with 6 stars. After the service, he married Mary Jane Whitbeck in September 1951 and settled in Windsor CT where he raised 2 children. He worked for Western Electric Telephone Company as a telephone equipment installer for 37 years before retiring and pursuing his love of gardening, dabbling in the stock market and spending countless hours tracing the family genealogy. He was an active member of Christ The King Lutheran Church and the Order of Hermann’s Sons Schiller Lodge #25. He was very proud of his heritage and proud to be an American and took every opportunity to tell people the importance of buying American!

        He was predeceased by his brother, Arthur Van Alphen, his sister, Mildred Van Alphen and just this past month by his daughter Karen Terese Kren. He is survived by his son, John Van Alphen II and his wife Joanne; his son-in law Richard Kren; his grandson, Jeremy Kren and his wife Rebecca and their daughter Teagan; his grandson, Michael Kren and his wife Leah and their son Brayden; and his granddaughter, Allison Kren and her boyfriend Taylor. Herb also leaves his extended family from his long time companion, Norma Jean Chance.

        Herb enjoyed the time he spent at the Windsor Library and the Windsor Senior Center and always prided himself on a healthy lifestyle (though he did love his pie!) He started each morning by doing 100 toe touches and because he was so healthy and active, he thought it wasn’t unreasonable to believe he would live to 110! He had a good life and traveled even until the age of 92. He also loved to dance and one of our fondest memories are the times he and Karen danced the Polka together. We will also miss that twinkle in his eye and sly smile when he showed his softer side. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Doctors, Nurses, and Aides at St Francis Hospital as well as Masonicare Hospice who took great care to ensure his comfort.

        Funeral services will be held Friday, August 18, 2017 at 11:30a.m. at Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home, 258 Prospect St., Torrington. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, 76 Walnut Street, Torrington. Friends may call Friday morning, from 10:30 to 11:30a.m. at Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home.

        At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Smilow Closer To Free Fund, Office of Development, Yale-New Haven Hospital, PO Box 1849, New Haven, CT  06508-1849, www.closertofree.com, Operation Homefront, 1355 Central Parkway S, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78232 or Masonicare Hospice, 111 Founders Plaza, Suite 200, East Hartford, CT. 

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