DUANE Van Valkenburg

Hi, my name is Duane Arlo Van Valkenburg. I've been called Dewey most of my life but answer to anything. Born in Wauseon, Ohio to Arlo Glen and Flora (Struble) Van Valkenburg.

I graduated from High School in 1950. I worked at the Wauseon Silo & Coal Co., Hess's Hatchery, and at a factory until enlisting in the Navy. From 1952 to 1956 during the Korean War I was a plane captain in a jet squadron and then a metalsmith. Our squadron (VF-21) served on six different Aircraft Carriers. Two six month Mediterranean Tours, one six weeks tour in the Arctic Circle and several six weeks training tours to Cuba.

In 1953 I married Valetta Evelyn Gautsche and we have three children, Kathi, Terry, Scott and ten grandchildren.

Returning to civilian life in 1956 I worked at Cummins Diesel Mich. Inc. in Maumee Oh. as a diesel mechanic. In 1961 I moved to Jewell, Ohio and worked at Martin Diesel Inc. at Defiance, Ohio until retirement in 1998.

I belong to the Jewell American Legion Post 635 & was Post Commander in 1970. I have been on the Jewell Volunteer Fire Department for 31 years, from fireman to captain to fire chief and now just an old fireman. I drive the fire dept. 3000 gallon tanker year round hauling drinking water to people's cisterns and in the summer we also fill swimming pools.

My hobby is antique trucks. My dad drove trucks all his life and my nephew and I restored his 1946 Diamond T pickup. I belong to the American Truck Historical Society and, like the NAVVF, we have a reunion in a different city every year. This year was in Valley Forge Pennsylvania, with 702 trucks attending.

Some how I heard about the NAVVF and we went to Canton, Ohio in 1992. We have been to all but one since then. I have helped Jean Mersereau at two reunions counting ballots. I am an unknown branch but would like to connect to the family someday.