Robert Van Lenten

Robert “Bob” Van Lenten

Bob Van Lenten, 82, passed away at his Brenham residence on July 28, 2021.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, August 1, 2021, at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Pastor Billy Sutherland of Calvary Baptist Church will officiate. Interment will follow at Prairie Lea Cemetery. Funeral services will be live streamed to www.MemorialOaksChapel.com for those unable to attend.

Bob was born on June 22, 1939, the youngest child to parents John and Wilhelmina of Passaic, New Jersey. He grew up in the area and graduated from Hackensack High School in the year 1958.

Upon graduating high school, Bob spent six years proudly serving his country in the US Army and Reserve. In the early 60’s, Bob began his career as a long-haul truck driver until his retirement in 2003. He drove millions of miles and had many funny and entertaining stories from his travels.

On December 3, 1960, Bob was united in marriage to his first wife Beryl “Pat” Patterson. They were blessed with five children. In the 1980’s, Bob and Pat had the privilege of moving to Houston to live closer to their children. Bob’s joy and passion was his family. He deeply loved them and was very proud to be called Dad to his children and Pa to his loving grandchildren.

Bob and Pat moved to the Brenham area in 2003. Pat passed away in 2011 after 50 years of marriage.

During his time in Brenham, Bob was employed part-time as a maintenance technician at Grace Lutheran School. Students and teachers alike loved “Mr. Bob” and he loved being around them. It was through his connections at Grace Lutheran that Bob was blessed enough to find love again. Bob met Polly (Hull) Day at a church function and immediately found himself drawn to her. They were married on May 6, 2017. Although their time together was short, they enjoyed a close and loving companionship.

Bob enjoyed woodworking in his spare time and was very skilled at making small household items. He loved watching football and was an avid New York Giants fan. He was a devoted Christian and loved attending Brenham’s Calvary Baptist Church. He was baptized as a young man in March 1970 and his faith in the Lord continued to be a guiding principle throughout his life.

Bob is survived by: wife Polly; children Donna and George Call of Montgomery, Laura and Steven Mahan of Houston, Robert Van Lenten and Brent Couzens-Schultz of Houston, Karen and Michael Jackson of Houston, and Steven and Brandie Van Lenten of Webster; grandchildren Joshua Renninger, Adam Jackson, Emily Mahan, Matthew Jackson, Luke Jackson, Gwen Van Lenten, Austin Van Lenten; great-grandchildren Aubree and Draven; and his dog companion Swiffer.

Bob is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years and the mother of his children, Beryl Van Lenten; his brother John and sister Margaret Slenk.

Serving as pallbearers will be Robert Van Lenten, Steven Van Lenten, Steven Mahan, Michael Jackson, Joshua Renninger, and Brent Couzens-Schultz.

If you would like to make a donation in Bob’s memory, please consider Hospice Brazos Valley, who provided Bob with such compassionate care in his final days.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main Street, Brenham, TX 77833.