Van Gronigen, Glenn R. 1934-1954

VANGRONIGEN, OBERMAN

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

Source: Alton Democrat (12-16-1954)

Born: December 5, 1934
Died: December 13, 1954

GLENN VAN GRONIGEN DIES SUDDENLY AT ANNAPOLIS SERVICES HERE SATURDAY A.M.---CAUSE OF DEATH UNDETERMINED

Glenn died at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He was a Midshipman 3rd Class 23rd Company of the US Naval Academy.

Midshipman Glenn Van Gronigen, Class of 1957, passed on suddenly Monday, December 13 "from an undetermined cause" while playing basketball at the United States Naval Academy.

This shocking news was telephoned from Annapolis early Monday evening by the Catholic chaplain to Reverend Zeno Reising, who was asked to notify Glenn's parents, Mr. and Mrs. John and Olivia (Oberman) Van Gronigen. According to the information received by Father Reising, Glenn was playing with a group of six or seven midshipmen just for recreation, as he is not a member of the Academy basketball squad, when he fell to his knees and complained of being dizzy, then collapsed and expired within a few minutes. Efforts to revive him were unavailing.

Official confirmation from the Naval Academy Superintendent, together with assurance of the Sympathy of the "brigade of midshipmen in your great loss" was received Tuesday by Mr. and Mrs. Van Gronigen.

Glenn was born December 5, 1934, at Alton and was 20 years old. He is a graduate of St. Mary's Academy, Class of 1952, and attended Iowa State College, Ames for a year before receiving an appointment from Representative Charles B. Hoeven to the Naval Academy at Annapolis. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity at Iowa State and played on the freshman basketball team. At the Naval Academy he rowed on the varsity crew and sang in the Glee Club. He was also a member of the Catholic choir at USNA.

Surviving are his parents and two sisters, Joan, Mrs. Robert Matheson of Augusta, Georgia and Mary Jane, age 10, at home.

Lt. and Matheson are expected by car Thursday night. The remains will arrive in Sioux City Friday morning and the funeral Requiem High Mass will be held at St. Mary's Church Saturday morning at 9:30. Mid'n Sam Zwart, Glenn's roommate, will be the official escort, according to information secured by telephone by Representative Hoeven this Wednesday morning.

Glenn had been expected home for the Christmas holidays the coming Sunday, and had his reservations made for seven weeks ahead of that date. At first he had planned to spend part of his vacation at the Sugar Bowl football game in New Orleans, but finally decided the trip would take too much time from his stay at home. A letter to his parents written Sunday evening, the night before his unexpected passing, indicated that he was in fine health and eagerly looking forward to his arrival.

Last summer he enjoyed the annual Midshipmen cruise to European points and brought his parents several souvenirs and gifts purchased at different ports and cities on his first cruise.

Glenn was an exceptionally fine young man of brilliant mentality and happy disposition, dependable, friendly and loved by all who knew him. The family have the deep sympathy of the entire community in their sad bereavement.