Karl J. Van Valkenburgh, 98, of West Granby, beloved husband for 46 years of the late Johanna (Nash) Van Valkenburgh, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at the McLean Home in Simsbury. Born in New York, NY, on November 18, 1927, son of the late Glenn Morgan and Elizabeth Augusta (Grasmuk) Van Valkenburgh, he was raised in Forest Hills, NY and was a graduate of Briarcliff High School, Class of 1944 in Briarcliff Manor, NY.
After high school, Karl enlisted in the US Army and after completing basic training, he was assigned to the 16th Infantry Regiment, First Division in Germany and Austria. He was honorably discharged in 1947 as a Private First Class and returned to New York.
After leaving the military, Karl sought to continue his education and was accepted into the Agricultural Economics program at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. He received his Bachelor of Science in 1951 and returned to serve in the US Army as the Korean War had broken out during his time at Cornell. Karl was now an officer and a 2nd Lieutenant 456th Field Artillery Battalion based in Fort Bragg, NC. Karl served as a Battery Officer and Forward Observer and was later transferred to the 780th Field Artillery Battalion where he was the Battalion Adjutant. His performance and leadership was recognized and he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in March, 1953 and also received the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during his tour in Korea. In July, 1953, Karl resigned his commission as an officer in the US Army and returned to New York and settled in North Tarrytown, NY.
Having been active in Boy Scouts as a young man, Karl organized a Boy Scout Troop in Tarrytown, NY in 1953 and served as the Scoutmaster and later as a Neighborhood Commission for the Boy Scouts of America in 1955.
Karl started his career as a civilian in 1954, when he joined The Travelers Insurance Company as a claims adjuster in Yonkers, NY. In 1955, he was asked to relocate to Connecticut to The Travelers corporate headquarters in Hartford. Karl continued to work in claims administration the rest of his 25-year career at The Travelers retiring in 1979. After leaving Travelers, Karl went on to sell real estate from 1981-1992.
After marrying his first wife, Ekaterini (“Kaity”) Kacoulithou in 1959, the young couple settled in Granby where they raised their two children. Karl immediately got involved in the community after moving to the Hartford area and was involved in many political, civic, and fraternal organizations over the six decades that he lived in Granby and West Granby. He organized and served as the first President of the Capitol Camera Club in Hartford and he joined the Republican Town Committee in Granby after serving as the Chairman of the Granby Volunteers for Nixon in 1960. Over the years, Karl served in a variety of roles for the Republican Party in Granby. He served on the Executive Committee of the Granby Republican Town Committee and was elected for one term as a Town Selectman in 1961. Karl’s gift with the written word led him to serve as Chairman of the Organization Committee of the Granby Republican Town Committee where he wrote the Granby Republican Handbook and he also served as Chair of the Republican Platform Committee. In 1966, the Granby Republicans selected Karl to represent them as their delegate to the Connecticut Republican State Convention. Karl also was a moderator at Granby Town Meetings and later was a member of the Granby Conservation Commission and authored the first Conservation Plan for the Town. Dedicated to his fellow residents in town, Karl later served on the Board of Directors of the Granby Homes for Senior Citizens to assist elderly residents with housing.
Karl loved the Town of Granby and as a history buff, he joined the Salmon Brook Historical Society where he enjoyed learning about Granby history through their various exhibits and presentations over the years. A Master Mason, Karl was a longtime member of St. Mark’s Lodge #91 A.F. & A.M. and in 2011 he authored a book, “Fraternity in a Small Town”, which detailed the history of Masonry in Granby. After the lodge merged with the Masonic Lodge in Simsbury, Karl continued his membership at Valley Lodge #36, A.F. & A.M. in Simsbury. While living in West Granby, Karl and his wife Johanna were members of the former West Granby Methodist Church for many years.
An avid outdoorsman throughout his life, Karl was one of the founders and secretary and treasurer of the Connecticut Fly Fisherman’s Association, a founder and the first President of the Farmington River Angler’s Association, a member of the Limestone Trout Club, a member of the Hartford Sportsman’s Club, a member of the Moose Pond Club, and he served on the board of directors of the Connecticut branch of the National Wildlife Federation. His love of fishing and writing led him to author an English translation of “Fishing” by Abraham Goldstein in 2003, and he later authored “Set in Stone” – The History of the Limestone Trout Club.
As part of the Greatest Generation, Karl was honored to have served during World War II and the Korean War and remained patriotic throughout his life. He was a life member of the Veterans of the Seventh Regiment in New York, he was a member of the 780th Field Artillery Battalion Association, and he was a member of the Korean War Veteran’s Association. After moving to Granby, Karl joined Shannon-Shattuck Post #182, American Legion in Granby where he served in several capacities over the years. He assisted with Post with Memorial Day observances including the parade and services at the Granby Cemetery and other fundraising efforts to support veterans in the community.
Karl never forgot his family’s roots in New York and enjoyed researching his genealogy. He was a life member of the Holland Society, a historical and genealogical association in New York, he was a member of the Lexington, NY Historical Society, and he was a life member of the National Association of the Van Valkenburgh Family.
Beyond his many accomplishments, Karl loved and was proud of his children and grandchildren, and they loved him. Karl’s varied interests in nature, fly fishing, history, reading, and dogs, led him to share these interests with his family. Karl led his family on many fun adventures which often included hikes, canoeing, fishing, camping and long drives down country roads taking the path less traveled. Many passions were kindled, life lessons instilled and great memories were created. After a day’s adventures, the enjoyment of an evening cocktail and a meal with family/friends was something to look forward to. His quiet encouragement, support and company was treasured and will be missed.
He leaves two children, Glenn James Van Valkenburgh and his wife Denise of Milford, OH, and Elizabeth Flora (Van Valkenburgh) Wess and her husband Michael of Lawrenceburg, IN; and four grandchildren, Morgan Van Valkenburgh of Harrisburg, PA, Brooke Van Valkenburgh of Portland, ME, Megan (Wess) Perry and her husband Matthew of Cincinnati, OH, and Britton Wess and his wife Emily of Alexandria, KY, and two great grandchildren, Josie Mae Wess and Reagan Flora Perry. Karl is also survived by nieces and nephews and a close circle of devoted friends. In addition to his beloved wife, Johanna M. (Nash) Van Valkenburgh, he was predeceased by a sister, Marian Elizabeth (Van Valkenburgh) Goodrich and her husband James Goodrich.
A graveside service with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m., in the Van Valkenburgh Family Lot at Westkill Community Cemetery in Westkill, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Shannon-Shattuck Post #182, American Legion, P.O. Box 182, Granby, CT 06035, or to an animal welfare or wildlife conservation organization of your choosing.
Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home in Granby, CT has care of the arrangements. For online condolences, please visit, www.carmonfuneralhome.com.