Robert "Bob" Van Witzenburg

Robert van Witzenburg, 85, of Florence, SC, died on Sunday, August 14, 2016, at McLeod Hospice House in Florence, SC after an illness.His loving family surrounded his bedside. Mr. van Witzenburg was born on June 18, 1931, in Amsterdam, Holland. He was the son of the late George Phillipus and Johanna Rosina Christina van Witzenburg.He immigrated to the United States on a student visa in 1952, completed high school in Charlotte, N.C. and several years of college before returning to his homeland in order to obtain a permanent visa.On his return, he resided in Charlotte and worked for the American Trust Bank. In the late 1950’s Mr. van Witzenburg became the sales manager for WJMX Radio Station in Florence, where he worked more than thirty years.WJMX Radio was the original broadcaster for the Darlington Race Track races, and Bob was known by many as “Johnny Reb”, a symbol of the South.Some wondered how a young Dutch lad could assume such a title! Mr. van Witzenburg was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Florence, a former deacon there and attended the Men’s Only Sunday School Class. He is survived by his wife, the former Mary Lynn Gregg; a son, Robert Charles (Chuck) van Witzenburg and his wife, Pam; a daughter, Johanna van Witzenburg Davis and her husband, John; and three grandsons, Tyler Davis, Brett Davis and Andrew Davis and his wife, Meredith.He is also survived by his brother, Gerard van Witzenburg and his wife, Bertie, of Maartensdijk, Holland; three nephews, Maarten van Witzenburg, Erik van Witzenburg and Ronald van Witzenburg, and a brother-in-law, Karl Gregg of Fort Lauderdale, FL. A Service of Remembrance will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 21, 2016, at First Presbyterian Church in Florence.The family will receive visitors in the Lawson-Rain Chapel after the church service. Memorial gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 800 Park Avenue, Florence, SC29501 or to McLeod Hospice, P. O. Box 100551, Florence, SC29502 Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home is assisting the family. Please sign the tribute wall for Mr. van Witzenburg at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.