VAN DE WATER, FREDERIC F., JR.

Frederic F. Van de Water Jr., a reporter and editor for The Associated Press for 23 years, died Saturday [May 11, 2002] after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 83.

Mr. Van de Water was a long time resident of Chesterfield County. Mr. Van de Water was born November 30, 1918 in New York City, New York, to Frederic F. Van de Water and Eleanor Gay Van de Water.

Mr. Van de Water was a World War II veteran, having served in the South Pacific Theater as a member of the Marine Corps. Mr. Van de Water served with the Marine Raiders and later with the 6th Marine Division when the Raiders were absorbed due to heavy casualties during the early campaigns of the war.

After the war, Mr. Van de Water returned to New York to continue his education. He attended Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont. He received his degree in journalism from Boston University. He came to Richmond in 1950 to work with the Associated Press. He met and married Virginia Maxine Clem the same year. The couple had two children, both sons. Mr. Van de Water retired from the Associated Press in 1972. He never left Richmond.

Mr. Van de Water was preceded in death by his parents in 1968 and his wife in 1990 after nearly 40 years of marriage. He is survived by Jonathan D. Van de Water, also of Richmond and Frederic F. Van de Water III of Hurricane, Utah. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Lisa A. Van de Water of Hurricane, Utah; granddaughter, Shannon Van de Water of Richmond; grandson, Frederic F. Van de Water IV of Hurricane, Utah; grandson, Wesley C. Van de Water of Hurricane, Utah; granddaughter, Mary C. Van de Water also of Hurricane, Utah.

The family will be holding a private graveside service at Dale Memorial Cemetery in Chesterfield. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Parkinson’s Research Fund of choice.