Norman Daniel "Dan" Van Voorhis

Norman Daniel “Dan” Van Voorhis, age 93, of Englewood, Ohio died peacefully in his home on Friday, October 6, 2023. Norman Daniel “Dan” Van Voorhis was born in Richmond, Indiana in 1930 to Norman Edward and Evelyn Margaret “Jane” Van Voorhis. Dan grew up on a small farm in Richmond, active in 4-H and graduating from Richmond High School in 1948. He attained his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Cincinnati, working as a co-op student at Standard Oil, the Richmond City planning office, and the railroad. He was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. In 1953, Dan went into the Army and was stationed at Fort Carson and Camp Hale in Colorado. Upon completion of a two-year tour of duty, he was honorably discharged and went to Purdue University to get his Master’s degree in Industrial Management. (#Boiler Up!) After finding a post-college job in the Centerville, Ohio area, he rented a room at Earl and Frances Weller’s home where he met and fell in love with their daughter, Sue. Dan and Sue were married in 1958 and had their son in 1959. Although they tried multiple times to have additional children, God decided that their son would be enough for them to handle. Dan and Sue’s jobs took them from Kettering and Beavercreek, Ohio to the Washington D.C. area, and to Miami, Florida, allowing him to work on a multitude of civil engineering projects including the Washington D.C. Metro System and the Miami-Dade Metrorail System. Up until his death, Dan continued to read the Engineering News Record to keep up on current construction trends and feats. During these early working years, Dan loved to take his son fishing at Indian Lake in Manistique, Michigan and was very active in the Lutheran churches that he attended in each city. One day in 1976, Dan had to convince his son to attend Sunday School. His son would meet a young lady who would help shape his son’s life. Apparently, father knows best! When Sue passed away in 1992, Dan continued working until retirement called his name in 2000. He then moved back to Richmond to help take care of his mom. Once settled in Richmond, he attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and was active there until the 2020 pandemic. Although the pandemic and subsequent minor health issues limited his in-person activities, he continued to support the church until his death. In early September 2023, Dan moved to a smaller place in Englewood, Ohio, very close to his son and daughter-in-law, leaving the home in Richmond that has been in the family since the 1940s. He looked forward to spending many days and evenings with his son watching college football, college basketball, Cincinnati Reds baseball, NASCAR races, and other sports. Their sports bond ran deep. Sadly, Dan got sick shortly after he moved to his new place and although he seemed to get well, God had other plans. Dan was a gentle, kind-hearted, hard-working man who will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his son Dan (Carolyn) Van Voorhis of Englewood, Ohio; grandsons Daniel (Lauren) Van Voorhis of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and Matthew Van Voorhis of Ypsilanti, Michigan; grandchildren David, Brooklyn, and Luke Van Voorhis of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; and sisters Nancy Bishea of Richmond, Indiana and Sharon (Jay) Howard of Port Orchard, Washington. He was preceded in death by his parents Norman Edward and Evelyn Margaret “Jane” Leatherman Van Voorhis and his wife Sue Ann Weller Van Voorhis. A private service and celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Purdue for Life Foundation at https://www.purdueforlife.org/give/ways-to-give/gifts-in-memory-and-honor/ or to St Paul’s Lutheran Church at 121 S. 18th Street, Richmond, IN 47384 Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Norman Daniel "Dan" Van Voorhis

July 20, 1930 - October 6, 2023