Terry Lee Van Steenbergen
October 3, 1950 ~ January 20, 2018
Terry VanSteenbergen (Age 67)
On January 20, 2018 Terry passed away at his home in Palm Coast Florida. Born in Sheldon Iowa October 3 1950 to Walter and Margaret and raised in Lakewood CA. He joined the Army in 1968 and in June of 1969 was assigned to Long Thanh Vietnam where he received an Army Commendation Medal for Heroism and Commendation Medal 1st and 2nd OLC. He was an amazing photographer and while in Vietnam he took many pictures, which he later put on CD and sent out to friends who shared this experience. When he returned from Vietnam he was stationed at many bases around the country as an Air Traffic Controller, Tower Chief. In March of 1974 he was sent to South Korea. This is where he met the Love of his life, Amy Jo Hill. There is a note in his journal that says " Amy and me got Married 10:10 AM 23 January 1976. I Love Her!" They lived in Texas, did a tour in Germany and settled in Alexandria Va. Terry retired from the Army as a TC Warrant Officer W2 and went to work for the FAA in Washington DC in 1997 in Presidential Movement, where he retired in 2007. He completed courses in Air Traffic Control School, Criminal Law, Flight School Commercial Helicopter, Speech, and Geology. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Professional Aeronautic 11-89 Magna Cum Laude. Terry was loved and will be missed by everyone who knew him. He was a very smart man, kind soul, Loving Husband, Loving Son, and an amazing Brother and Uncle. He was also an excellent cook and host and a true friend. Terry is preceded in death by his wife Amy, his mother Margaret, and his Father Walter. He is survived by his brother Bob (Wanda) Snitselaar, his Brother Mike (Linda) VanSteenbergen, many nieces and nephews, Aunts and Uncles, and brothers and sisters in laws. Family and friends are invited to a gathering in honor of Terry at 617 Harwood Road, Harwood MD from 6pm-8pm on July 11th 2018. There will be an interment with honors for Terry at Arlington National Cemetery on July 12th 2018 at 1:00pm.
On January 20, 2018 Terry passed away at his home in Palm Coast Florida. Born in Sheldon Iowa October 3 1950 to Walter and Margaret and raised in Lakewood CA. He joined the Army in 1968 and in June of 1969 was assigned to Long Thanh Vietnam where he received an Army Commendation Medal for Heroism and Commendation Medal 1st and 2nd OLC. He was an amazing photographer and while in Vietnam he took many pictures, which he later put on CD and sent out to friends who shared this experience. When he returned from Vietnam he was stationed at many bases around the country as an Air Traffic Controller, Tower Chief. In March of 1974 he was sent to South Korea. This is where he met the Love of his life, Amy Jo Hill. There is a note in his journal that says " Amy and me got Married 10:10 AM 23 January 1976. I Love Her!" They lived in Texas, did a tour in Germany and settled in Alexandria Va. Terry retired from the Army as a TC Warrant Officer W2 and went to work for the FAA in Washington DC in 1997 in Presidential Movement, where he retired in 2007. He completed courses in Air Traffic Control School, Criminal Law, Flight School Commercial Helicopter, Speech, and Geology. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Professional Aeronautic 11-89 Magna Cum Laude. Terry was loved and will be missed by everyone who knew him. He was a very smart man, kind soul, Loving Husband, Loving Son, and an amazing Brother and Uncle. He was also an excellent cook and host and a true friend. Terry is preceded in death by his wife Amy, his mother Margaret, and his Father Walter. He is survived by his brother Bob (Wanda) Snitselaar, his Brother Mike (Linda) VanSteenbergen, many nieces and nephews, Aunts and Uncles, and brothers and sisters in laws. Family and friends are invited to a gathering in honor of Terry at 617 Harwood Road, Harwood MD from 6pm-8pm on July 11th 2018. There will be an interment with honors for Terry at Arlington National Cemetery on July 12th 2018 at 1:00pm.
Family Gathering
Harwood Road617 Harwood Road
Harwood, Maryland 20776
July 11, 2018
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Burial
Arlington National CemeteryArlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia 22211
July 12, 2018
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Fifty years of friendship amigo and I enjoyed every minute of it. Never more so then the year and a half in Vietnam at Long Thanh North AAF. We were just kids, nineteen and twenty, but we must have been pretty good because they put us in charge, you as Tower Chief and me as GCA Chief. Unlike me, you were even a better pilot then a controller. After our year at rotary wing flight school in Long Beach you could fly circles around me but you encouraged me to finish and I did. Somehow you were always calm even in the worst of times and everyone appreciated that about you. You were generous with your time and talent. There are more than a few folks who owe their careers in air traffic control to you because you used your time and talent to develop them into professional air traffic controllers. Rest in Peace old friend.
I will miss Terry for the rest of my life. Over the 35+years He has always been a big part of His Wife Amy’s Family. Coming home on leave with Her, cooking special meals that my Father would rave about. My children looked up to Him, and both joined the military as to follow in His footsteps. When my Grandmother passed, my Mother wanted Her place. Terry put up His retirement bonus, so She could have Her wish. I cannot begin to list all the ways He and My Sister Amy helped me through rough times. The only thing That I could do for them in return, is clean and take care of the Cats, when they were away! I would not have received my VA pension if they didn’t let me stay in Virginia while waiting out the claims process. I did tell Him that, the last time I visited with Him It was difficult to see Him suffer, missing My Sister when she was Taken by cancer. He had said that when they retire, He and Amy were going to travel. I wish I would have visited Him again in Florida, as He always said my spare bedroom was still there. Terry left a hole in my Heart, He was a kind Man, who deserved Health and happiness! He was intelligent, witty, and tolerant of Me!
A friend as well as a comrade-in-arms, those of us from the 313th ADD, Long Thanh will miss him. His ever present camera’s made traveling in Viet Nam fun and always provided many a tale. Slow Hand Salute. RIP.
RIP Terry…….
Uncle Terry you will be missed very much!! At least you are back with Amy again and happy! Love you! Love, Gwen, and Kelly , Carter and Allie a��
Terry and I worked together many long years ago in the Army. My sincere condolences to his family.
Uncle Terry will be missed by me and my family very much. He was such a gracious uncle and wonderful care giver to my grand parents and Amy. My family enjoyed our visits to Virginia and to Florida. MAY HE REST IN PEACE!
My wife Jenny was Terry’s wife Amy’s Sister. I think Terry was the smartest individual I have ever met in my life. He was always kind and respectful to everyone around him. Especially he was kind to all forms of life, maybe even more than some humans. When Amy left his side there was really nothing here for him, nothing mattered and he felt he did not matter to anyone. but it was not so, all his neighbors miss him, it’s funny his dearest friend is from Cambodia, both him and his wife across the canal from him in Palm Coast and Terry served in Vietnam, it’s crazy world. When he came over to Terry’s house to see us, his eyes filled with water, and he said Terry, guys like him just don’t come along. He would go out of town a lot and Terry made sure his wife was okay and he tutored their boy for a while. We’ll all miss you Terry, but we know you are there on Amy’s side again – your Home always was with her, and always will be. Take Care dear Friend.
My first active duty assignment as a 1LT in Germany in 1983 saw Terry and his wife Amy assigned as a Warrant Office to our Platoon. From those first three years, Terry was one of the most technically and tactically proficient officers I have ever known. MSG Allan Henderson was the Senior NCO at the time and we both marveled at his wisdom and dry wit. Amy and Terry were inseparable. Many do not know that he played an instrumental role during 9-11 in shutting down our airspace and keeping any further attempts by the terrorist from happening. A true friend and one who was always willing to assist. I know the loss of Amy dealt him a blow that he did not recover from. RIP Terry, you made a difference in your life.
Terry and I worked together in the FAA for three years (2002-2005). He was always there to lend a hand and show me how to get through the "day in the office"..He was always kind and witty.."the GO TO guy" for everything…it was an honor to know him..Terry- You will be missed..