Robert D. Van Vlaanderen

Robert Van Vlaanderen, 63, of Berlin, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 29, 2023 near his cherished camp at Millsfield Pond. He was born in Ridgewood, NJ on August 25, 1959 the son of the late Arch and Retta Van Vlaanderen. He graduated from Rampapo High School with the class of 1977 where he was a major contributor and member of the Rampapo Tennis Team that won the New Jersey State Tennis Championship. Following graduation, Bob went to work for 5 years for the Public Service Electric and Gas Co. of New Jersey.

Bob and his friend Ron Keno, formed a partnership and moved to Estes Park, CO where the opened a bakery together. Bob and Ron worked together for several years before the partnership dissolved. Following Ron's departure Bob stayed and ran the bakery on his own for another few years, ultimately returning to Moultonboro, NH where he opened Butterflake Bakery as the sole proprietor. Bob loved baking and was known around Moultonboro for his beautiful cake decorating skills, as well as the simple things in life such as hot, fresh donuts and coffee for the morning commute and wonderful fresh breads and pastries. After working many long, hard hours on his own, Shaws Supermarkets came to town and recognized his skills and work ethic. They offered him a job opening and supervising the new bakery departments they were opening around the state. He remained working for Shaw's for over 25 years until his passing.

Bob was an avid hiker, cyclist and skier. He enjoyed ATVing and was an active member and Vice President of the Millsfield ATV Club. Above all, his favorite activity was spending time at his camp on Millsfield Pond. For Bob, spending time at Millsfield Pond was his happy place. A place to be proud of. Bob will always be remembered for being the kind of man that would give the shirt off his back, and help anyone he could.

He is survived by his wife Pam (Mercier) Van Vlaanderen of Berlin; his daughter by choice Ariel (Leighton) Cusson and partner Ian Bourque of Randolph, NH; grandchildren: Maverick, Aubrey, Anthony and Benjamin; his sisters Carol Beth Rosen of Naples, FL and Lynn Finnegan of Geneva, IL; mother-in-law Pauline Bergeron; sister-in-law Deb Payeur and husband Dave of Berlin; brothers-in-law Carl Mercier and wife Lynne of Berlin, Brian Mercier and wife Gisele of Derry, NH and Ray Bergeron and wife Ann of Milan; many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday June 2, 2023 from 6 – 8PM at the Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Ave., Berlin with a prayer service at 8PM. The family invites everyone to dress casually. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Millsfield ATV Club, 42 Beaver Lake Ave., Derry, NH 03038. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.bryantfuneralhome.net.