With sadness, VCCCDRA has learned of the recent passing of Karen Van Cleave on February 19, 2020. Karen was the Financial Aid Supervisor for many years at the District headquarters at 71 Day Road.
Harry Culotta remembers Karen:
“[Karen’s] position required close coordination, not only with the financial aid supervisors at each of the colleges, but also with the U.S. Department of Education and other federal agencies providing grants and loans to students. She was also responsible for all federal operational and financial reporting in connection with those programs.
“I worked closely with Karen on the accounting and financial reporting aspect of her responsibilities. She was a truly delightful lady to work with, showing great compassion for students and staff alike, especially staff members like Laura Campbell and Marian Carrasco (then a classified employee) who worked in her department. After retiring from VCCCD, Karen and her husband Bob moved to Alabama, where they lived for the rest of their lives. After Bob passed away, Karen worked for awhile at a state college near their home. As a Facebook friend, Karen would occasionally send me a message asking what changes were taking place with employee benefits, and I would give her the pertinent information.
“Karen’s passing serves as another reminder of our mortality. We miss her as a colleague, but enjoy the precious memories of her friendship.”
We have found no published obituary for Karen Van Cleave.
Karen was so much more than just a supervisor to me. When she and Robert moved to Anniston we talked on the phone regularly. Later the communications were just e-mails, Christmas cards, and birthday cards. Our e-mails never stopped although they became farther apart. When Robert and Karen came back to California for visits we got together for dinner. Once we went to Vegas for a fan club week-end.
Robert and Karen were involved with the VFW in Anniston. Karen was the treasurer for the Women’s Auxiliary for many years. She enjoyed going to their yearly regional meetings in Biloxi.
Karen was cremated. She will be interned next to her beloved husband, Robert, when the grounds thaws in Creston, Iowa.
Karen was so much more than just a supervisor to me. She was one of my dearest and best friends.