James C. Van Vliet, 85, of Center Valley, passed away peacefully on Dec. 27, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospice House after battling multiple myeloma for over two years.
James was the husband of the late Hilda E. Riedel, who passed away in 1988, and the late Roberta M. Alcorn, who passed away in 2014. Born in Nyack, N.Y., he was the son of the late Lloyd and Helen (DeGroat) Van Vliet. He graduated from Tenafly High School, Tenafly, N.J., in 1949, where he played varsity football and was vice president of his senior class. Jim earned a degree in industrial engineering from Rutgers University in 1953 and was president of his fraternity, Delta Kappa Epsilon. He remained active with his alma mater until his passing and participated as chairman of the Reunion Committee, as Class Correspondent since 2007, as a member of the Society of 1766 and the Henry Rutgers Society, and as an elected Loyal Son in 2014. Upon graduation, he joined Bethlehem Steel as a Loop management trainee and was assigned to the executive sales office. In 1954, he was granted a military leave of absence to serve his country in the U.S. Air Force as an air traffic controller at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Ga. After serving for two years, he was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant. In 1957 he returned to Bethlehem Steel as a salesman in the Philadelphia District. In 1961, he was transferred to the Bethlehem sub-office of the Philadelphia District and, in 1964, to the New York Sales Office, specializing in rod and wire sales. He returned to Bethlehem in 1969 as Assistant Manager of Rod and Wire Sales. He was promoted to Manager of Sales of the Pittsburgh Sales District in 1976, and in 1979 he returned to Bethlehem to become Manager of Rod and Wire Sales. In 1983, he was appointed General Manager of Sales and Marketing, and in 1986 he was named Vice President of Marketing. He retired in 1988. Jim was a member of Central Moravian Church since 1970, where he served as a sacristan for 10 years. After his return from Pittsburgh, he was elected vice president of the Board of Elders, the highest position of spiritual leadership in the congregation held by a layperson. He was appointed Chairman of Trustees for the Larger Life Foundation, an endowment fund for the Northern Province. He participated in a weekly Men’s Bible Study group for 30 years and served as treasurer. Additionally, Jim served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Hugh Moore Historical Park and Museums, Vice President and Treasurer of Saucon Mutual Insurance Co., volunteer for Second Harvest Food Bank, Chairman of the Board of The Gift of Sunshine and President of the Retired Employees Benefits Coalition (REBCO), representing non-represented salaried employees of Bethlehem Steel during its bankruptcy. Jim enjoyed art, gardening and all things beautiful. Despite his many losses in life, and recent struggles with his health, he still found the world to be a beautiful place. He was a member of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Longwood Gardens. He loved history and referred to himself as a student of religion. He never stopped learning and continued to take classes at the Institute for Learning in Retirement at Cedar Crest College. He had a very strong faith that helped to sustain him through his struggles with his disease. He was a fiercely loyal father, a devoted husband and an honest friend. He will be missed dearly by all who loved him.
SURVIVORS
He is survived by his daughters: Jayne V. Davilli (Thomas) of Hamilton, Va., and Julie E. Van Vliet of Coopersburg; grandchildren: Christopher, Katie, Kelly and Michael; and great-granddaughter: Leah. He is also survived by his best friend: Anne M. Zug. He was predeceased by his son: Thomas J. Van Vliet in 2007; and his siblings: Nancy and Lloyd.
SERVICES
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018 in the Old Chapel of Central Moravian Church, Heckewelder Place, Bethlehem. A reception will follow in the CE Building. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.
CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The James C. Van Vliet Mission Fund, Central Moravian Church, 73 W. Church St., Bethlehem, PA 18018.
