Stanley Ray Van Den Brink

Stanley Ray Van Den Brink passed away on January 15, 2024. He was born on March 4, 1949 in Sioux City, Iowa, and grew up in East Lansing, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ceel and Ruth Oliver Van Den Brink of East Lansing, MI. Stan worked for AT&T, retiring after 32 years. His job moved him to Conyers, Georgia, in 1990, where he met his wife, Francisca, and has lived ever since. He was also a U.S. Army veteran. Stan loved to fly and was a pilot of small airplanes and gyroplanes. In 2005 he bought a lot at Monticello Sky Ranch (GA06), a private airstrip, and built a hangar. More recently he worked on building a loft apartment inside the hangar. He particularly enjoyed flying gyroplanes and attended many fly-ins. He had a real talent for home projects. A stickler for details, he designed and constructed built-in bookcases and cabinets, remodeled the kitchen and added a sun porch. There was not a motor that he couldn't start or repair! He also loved motorcycles, owning many different ones all his life. RV travel was one of Stan's interests. He and Fran enjoyed long trips to Alaska, Montana, Iowa and Colorado. They camped on Jekyll Island, Georgia, every November for 25 years. His love of all vehicles included Corvettes, especially his custom ordered 2015 1LT-Z. Stan's greatest adventure was a solo trip in 2010 to Alaska on his Suzuki Burgman 650 scooter. The border guard said that was the first scooter he had ever seen to cross! He camped along the way, as well as visiting with family in Iowa and some old friends near Homer. He kept a daily diary of the journey, describing in detail his adventures. Stan loved his family. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Francisca Jordan Van Den Brink; daughter, Debra Lee Van Den Brink (Clint Wirtz); sisters, Jean Frentz (Chip), Joanie Reid (Jim Inderhees), Jane Livingston; stepson, Sam Vassy (Kathy); grandson Van Wirtz; step-granddaughters Ashley and Frog Vassy; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts, uncles and in-laws left to cherish his memory. He will also be missed by many good friends, as well as rescue dog Gracie, who 'chose' him 14 years ago. No public memorial service is planned.

Stanley Ray Van Den Brink

March 4, 1949 - January 15, 2024