Robert Van de Water

Robert Holmes Van de Water Veteran, Educator, Banker, Gardener, Chef and Mason passed away at 200 PM on April 23, 2012 after a long battle with IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis). He is survived by his wife and caretaker Rebecca Labnon Van de Water, daughter Annekje Jan and her husband Kevin St. John, daughter Alicia Anne, and son William Raymond and his wife Amy as well as one of the loves of his life, granddaughter Kiley Elizabeth St. John.
He is predeceased by his first wife Janice Mancinelli and mother of the children. He also leaves his stepchildren Scott and Megan Lyman and his sisters Jane Anne Bloom, Mary Elizabeth Crawford, and brother David Paul and his wife Seline together with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and his devoted golden retriever, Tucker.
Robert was well travelled having lived in Eritrea and Saudi Arabia. He took great pleasure in taking Rebecca to places she had not been before.
He was a charter member of the staff of the Landmark School in Pride's Crossing MA and was the first Director of Landmark North in Manchester MA. These institutions are premier facilities for learning disabled students. It was here under his mentor and friend Charles "Chad" Drake EdD that he developed the philosophies that would guide him through his professional life. Primary among them was "listen to what is being said not just the words" and "put employees in positions that maximize their strengths and minimize the weaknesses" We all have them.
His two favorite hobbies gardening and cooking served to please friends and relatives alike, until the illness took over. He will be missed.
A reception will be held from 100 to 300 pm this Sunday, April 29 at the home at 1300 Village Road, Silver Lake. A memorial service will be held on May 12th at 100 pm at the North Campus of Landmark School, 167 Bridge Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Robert's name to the Madison Church Food Pant