July 17, 1922 - Feb. 27, 2012 SOUTH BEND - Robert L. "Beans" VanCamp, 89, of South Bend, IN, passed away at 10:10 p.m. Monday, February 27, 2012 at Southfield Village in South Bend, following an illness. He was born on July 17, 1922 to the late Ernest and Maize Ruth (Nichols) VanCamp in South Bend, IN, and was a lifelong resident. Along with his parents, a daughter-in-law, Mary VanCamp; one sister, Jean Barth; and one brother-in-law, Russ Ryker also preceded him in death. On August 15, 1948, he married Geraldine "Jerry Torok", in the Grotto, at the former St. Stephen Catholic Church in South Bend, IN. She died on May 18, 1999. He is survived by his daughter, Jill A. (Scott) Marsh of South Bend, IN; his son, Dee Kevin VanCamp of Newport, RI; two grandchildren, Riley Scott Marsh of Indianapolis, IN & Haley Ameila Marsh of Huntington Beach, CA; and a sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Ryker of South Bend, IN. Beans retired in 1981 from Washington High School, where he worked as a Teacher and Coach for over 30 years. Beans graduated from Central High School in 1941 and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He cherished his Marine Corps experience and his association with the service. He saw active duty in World War II in the Pacific Theatre, and also served during the Korean War. After World War II, he entered Ball State University in Muncie, IN and earned his degree in Mathematics and Physical Education. He returned to South Bend to devote his entire career here. His first assignment was at Muessel School where he coached the football team to many successful seasons. He transferred to Washington High School changing his allegiance from the Bears to the Panthers and served under head coach Tom Roggeman for 11 years. When Roggeman left to coach at Purdue University, VanCamp succeeded him as head coach. He had many successful seasons at Washington and won the first Indiana State Football Championship in 1972. The number of notable student-athletes who participated in his program is long and impressive. Many of his players played at the college level and a few in the NFL. "Beaner", as he called himself, also coached Track & Field at Muessel and Washington with equal success. An aggressive competitor himself, he loved to compete. Active in Class A fast pitch softball for many years during the summers, he turned to golf after retirement in 1981 to the surprise of many of his friends. Always the organizer, he coordinated a retiree golf group for many years, pairing players and making course arrangements. Not a one dimensional man, he built a greenhouse onto his home and raised flower and vegetable plants from seed for his own garden and for his many friends. The family would like to thank Bean's doctors and staff at Southfield Village for the wonderful care which they provided. There will be no visitation. Private Services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to: Wegner & Porter Athletic Grant, c/o Athletic Department, South Bend Community School Corporation, 215 S. Saint Joseph Street, South Bend, IN 46601 or Washington High School Athletic Department, 4747 West Washington Street, South Bend, IN 46619. Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, IN is handling arrangements. To send condolences, please visit, www.kaniewski.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Mar. 2, 2012.

02/25/223 JFC