WHITE STONE—Dr. Gary VanSlyke passed away September 2, 2017, at his Virginia home in White Stone.
He was born in Greene, Iowa to his loving parents, Mark and Lucille VanSlyke on February 19, 1933.
He graduated from Iowa State Teachers College in 1954 with a bachelor of arts. He then began his illustrious career in 1955 as a naval aviator reaching the rank of captain in the U.S. Navy. He was an associate member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots starting in 1957 and had over 5,000 carrier landings in many of our military aircraft.
Gary received his Doctorate of Medicine in 1977 from the University of Iowa College of Medicine becoming a flight surgeon and family practice physician. His passion for medicine drove him to a new career he enjoyed until his retirement in 1998.
He loved the ocean and spent much of his retirement on the ocean in his sailboat, The Moonchild. Gary also enjoyed spending winters in the warmth of Florida keeping active going to spring training baseball of his favorite team the Pittsburg Pirates.
His summers were spent at his Virginia home riding horses with his wife, Lisa, and sailing the Chesapeake Bay.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa; his children, Michelle Nelson, Melissa Peters and Stephen VanSlyke; grandchildren, Jessica and Collin Nelson, Mitchell and Lydia Peters and Hailey VanSlyke.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mark and Lucille VanSlyke; brother, Mark VanSlyke and wife, Laurie VanSlyke.
His service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Currie Funeral Home LLC of Kilmarnock handled the arrangements.
