In Memoriam: Bob Van Wingerden

Chris Beytes

We’re very sorry to have to report the passing of Bob Van Wingerden, founder of Catoctin Mountain Growers in Keymar, Maryland. Bob and two employees were injured Friday, March 20, when a large hot water holding tank at the nursery ruptured, spilling thousands of gallons of 180F water. Bob and one other employee were rushed to the hospital; Bob succumbed to his injuries a few days later. He was 65.

Bob was the 13th child of Aart and Cora Van Wingerden, the progenitors of the multi-generational Van Wingerden greenhouse dynasty. Bob and his wife, Denise, founded Catoctin Mountain in 1985 and built it up to a 25-acre operation. Today, their children Bill, Tyler, Christina and Blake all have roles in the second-generation business. Bob and Denise also have eight grandchildren, with one more soon on the way (the 269th great-grandchild of Aart and Cora). GT