Roger C. Van Strander

Roger C. Van Strander, 98, of Upper Tulpehocken Township died September 19, 2018 in Manor Care, Lebanon.   Roger was the husband of Ann P.  (Hric) Van Strander currently residing at Manor Care, Lebanon and would have celebrated their 78 th  wedding Anniversary this October 26 th . He was born in Hamburg, NJ. and was the son of the late James and Nettie B. (Cook) Van Strander.   Roger served in the U.S. Army during WWII and the Battle of the Bulge, and was wounded on December 12, 1944 for which he received two Purple Hearts.  An unknown soldier who pulled him into a foxhole until medics arrived the next day saved his life.  He was hospitalized for approximately one year overseas.  He was transported to Reims, France to a special hospital in England because of the complexity and the facilities needed to perform his operation.  His operation was featured in LIFE Magazine publication. The reason was that the operation performed was one of the first experimental times that leeches were used in operational procedures to eat away dead flesh.   Upon receiving an Honorable Discharge from the Army, he primarily worked as a self-employed contractor with his father while raising his family in New Jersey.   In 1985, he and his wife came to Pennsylvania to help his daughter and son-in-law develop their new business, PA. DUTCH CAMPGROUND, in Bernville.  For approximately 28 years Roger and Ann became the backbone of the overall campground operations.  Roger was commonly seen by everyone driving on the Kubota Tractor or on his golf cart with his pal "Buffy".   Upon retirement he and Ann enjoyed campground activities and friendships that were formed over the years.    Roger's survivors include two children,  Carolee A. widow of Robert J. Powell, Bernville, and Roger J. Van Strander, Jr. husband of Lynn Woodhall Van Strander, Vernon, NJ., grandchildren, Darrell J. Powell, Newton, NJ., Scot J. Powell, Bernville, PA., James Van Strander, Vienna, VA., and Jill Van Strander, Vernon, NJ., great-grandchildren, Zack Powell Fisher, Newton, NJ., Bailey and Bella and Breona Fair, all of Bernville, PA  and Robert Powell, Newton, NJ., great-great grandchildren, Madeline Fritz, Vernon, NJ and Malcolm Van Strander, Vienna, VA. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.   The Burkey & Driscoll Funeral Home, Inc., Hamburg, is in charge of arrangement. Online condolences may be expressed at  www.burkeydriscoll.com .