Obituary of Victor Frost Van Wagenen

Victor Frost Van Wagenen, DVM, 94, of Van Wagenen Drive, passed away peacefully Saturday, April 18, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam with his loving family by his side. He was born in Wallkill, NY April 26, 1914 a son of the late Macey and Elizabeth Bergen VanWagenen. Dr. Van Wagenen was raised in Wallkill and was a graduate of Wallkill High School. He attended Cornell University where he was a 1937 graduate of the Cornell School of Veterinary Medicine. He was an expert horseman and was a member of the Cornell Polo team during his years there. He was awarded "Best Diagnostician" of his graduating class. Dr. Van Wagenen was affiliated with teaching at the school for a brief period of time following his graduation. He served his country with the US ARMY during WWII holding a rank of Lt. Col. and took part in the Normandy Invasion. He was honorably discharged with commendations for valor. After 2 years of veterinary practice at the ASPCA in Manhattan, he was united in marriage on August 20, 1939 to the former Norma Sirles who predeceased him in 1991. The couple settled in Fultonville where Dr. Van Wagenen operated his Veterinary Practice continually for the next 70 years. In addition to his veterinary career he established Truck Stops of America in Fultonville and Massachusetts. He served for over 25 years as a Supervising Veterinarian with the NYS Meat Inspection Program and then the FDA Meat Inspection Program. He was asked by both the Eisenhower and Kennedy Administrations to represent the US on a professional exchange program for the State Department. Dr. Van Wagenen s community involvement was endless. He was an Elder of the Fultonville Reformed Church, member of the Montgomery County Planning Board, the Fonda-Fultonville School Board, a former Public Health Inspector with the Town of Glen and Dispatcher with Montgomery County Ambulance. He was also very instrumental in the starting the Fonda-Fultonville Vol. Ambulance Corp. F.F.V.A.C. where he was a 25 year member. His loving family includes his children, Dale V. Gros Edwin of Williamsburg, VA, Beth V. Adams Jonathan of Fultonville, Lynn V. Noone Thomas of Calabash, NC. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be at 11:00AM on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at Jackson & Betz Funeral Home, 15 Main St., Fultonville, NY. Interment will follow in Maple Avenue Cemetery with full Military Honors. The family will receive relatives and friends from 5:00 to 8:00PM Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Contributions in Dr. Van Wagenen's memory may be made to the ASPCA in care of the funeral home or to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Ave., Gloversville, NY 12078.