Robert William von der Osten, age 96, of Hayesville, NC and formerly of Ormond Beach, FL, Staten Island NY and Boaz, AL passed away Saturday, December 3, 2016 at his home.
Born in Staten Island, NY on January 23, 1920 and graduating from Port Richmond High School in 1938, Mr. von der Osten volunteered with the Navy just days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served aboard the LST 388 as Radioman 1st Class, where he saw action on the shores of Italy, Africa and the D-Day beaches of Normandy, France where he was in five invasions. After receiving his honorable discharge from the Navy, he worked for Standard Oil Company's Marine Insurance Division in Rockefeller Center for the next two years. In December of 1947 he joined the New York Police Department, serving for twenty years. During this time he worked the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the New Year's Eve in Times Square events and served on security details for The Monkees, Judy Garland and inside the St. Patrick's Cathedral during Babe Ruth's funeral. In the latter years of his police career, he served as an instructor at the New York Police Academy and also earned his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College. Retiring to his wife's home state of Alabama, he began a new career as a teacher at Albertville High School, teaching American History and Civics. He returned to college and earned his Master's Degree from Jacksonville State University. He also taught Police Science and other classes part-time at Snead College in Boaz. In 1980 he retired a second time and moved his family to Ormond Beach, Florida where they lived for 16 years before finally settling in Hayesville, NC in 1995.
He was a member of the Hayesville First United Methodist Church, VFW Post #6812, American Legion Post #532. He enjoyed spending time with true friends in the Hayesville Community and had a love of books and reading, particularly enjoying history.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward Carl and Henrietta Catherine Siemann von der Osten; son, Carl von der Osten, step daughter, Trudy VanBibber, twin brother, Herb von der Osten and sister, Ruth Bodien.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Earlene Jackson von der Osten; son, Kurt von der Osten and wife Stacya; daughters, Lynn MaGee and Barbara von der Osten; daughter-in-law, Maureen von der Osten; grandchildren, Michael, Margaret, Robert and wife Kate, Danny, Catherine and husband Brook, Anja and Kyer; great grandchildren, Phoenix, Eva Luke and Madison; and beloved nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM, Thursday, December 8, 2016 at the Hayesville First United Methodist Church. Rev. Kirk Hatherly will officiate. Burial will be in the Hayesville First United Methodist Church Cemetery with military honors being conducted by the V.F.W. Post #10222, Joe Miller Elkin American Legion Post #96 and D.A.V. Chapter #73 and American Legion Post #532 of Hayesville and V.F.W. Post #6812 Hayesville. The American Legion Post #532 and the VFW Post #6812 will serve as Pallbearers.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM, Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel of Hayesville.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in memory of Bob von der Osten to the American Legion Post #532, PO Box 22, Hayesville, NC 28904 and VFW Post #6812, PO Box 825, Hayesville, NC 28904 or to the Hayesville First United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Denise Osborn, PO Box 85, Hayesville, NC 28904.
You may send tributes to the von der Osten family at www.townson-rose.com
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
You may send tributes to the family at
www.townson-rose.com