Obituary of Arthur R. Vonk

 Arthur Richard Vonk

The Christian hymn, “In the Garden”, signifies a walk to meet our Savior, the Son of God, for all eternity. On October 27, 2023, Arthur Richard (Art) Vonk, 95, took that walk with Him. In keeping with our Lord’s promise to all who believe in His birth, death, and resurrection victorious over death, Art joins his wife and family that have gone before in that Heavenly paradise, yet unknown to those on earth.

Arthur was born January 5, 1928, to Walter and Minnie Vonk of Albany, NY. After graduating Draper High School in 1945, Art served our country in the U.S. Navy (WWII - Yeoman 3), working directly for the ship commander aboard the USS Goodrich. He attended tech school, and in 1949, he wed Janet Smith, his wife of fifty-three years until her passing in 2003.  Art began his career with G.E. Engineering Schenectady in 1951, where he worked for thirty-three years, retiring as a manager of steam turbine and computer design in 1984. In his spare time, he built three homes from the ground up. Following his retirement, he enjoyed living part time in Florida, on the shores of Galway Lake, and at his home in Colonie. An avid golfer, he considered making four holes-in-one his greatest sports achievement. Art was a long-standing member of Niskayuna Reformed Church.

He is survived by his children; daughter, Cynthia Nous; and sons Jeffrey (Mary Anne), Stephen (Dorothy) and Richard (Kathleen) Vonk; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at Reilly & Son Funeral Home, Colonie at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2023, with services beginning at 11:00 a.m. and interment immediately following at Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/donate or 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to Niskayuna Reformed Church. Art’s family would like to thank Community Hospice, whose support allowed him to spend his final days comfortably at home.