More detail on this person: VHPA Life Member George Van Vladricken was born December 12, 1948 and passed away on July 6, 2022 in Olympia, Washington. George grew up in Paramus, New Jersey. Prior to joining the Army, he worked for NJ Bell until leaving for Basic Training in August 1968. He was in WORWAC 69-19 at Fort Wolters, and upon graduating from Primary Flight Training, he went to Hunter AAF for Advanced Flight Training, graduating in July 1969. In Vietnam, George was assigned to the 173rd Assault Helicopter Company. With his tour completed, he decided he wanted to see more of the world (at government expense) and was assigned to an Aviation unit in Germany. When he was released from Active Duty, George took a job as a helicopter flight instructor with Bristow Helicopters, and was based in Iran. Bell Helicopter took over the Iranian training program, and George transferred to Bell where he was probably one of the last Americans to leave Iran. When he returned to the USA, George decided to move to the Olympia, Washington area, where he raised his family and worked for the State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services. George is survived by daughter Isabel Van Vladricken and her husband Eddie Alba; his son Christopher and his wife Reaksmey and their two children Olivia (age 4) and Sophia (age 2); and his sister Karen Carew. He loved being a grandfather, hunting, skiing, and road trips with friends- where he was well known for his questionable culinary choices. George will be remembered for his warmth, kindness, loyalty to friends and family, and his sense of humor.
This information was last updated 09/02/2022
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Date posted on this site: 07/12/2025
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