Paul VandenBerge, 85, of Bella Vista, Arkansas passed away on June 28, 2023. He was born August 17, 1937, in Vermillion, South Dakota to Harold O. and Agnes M. VandenBerge.

He attended elementary and high school in Vermillion, SD where his father was Superintendent of Schools.  He then attended the University of South Dakota for two years, followed by the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.

Paul served 8 years in the South Dakota National Guard where he trained as a Fire Control Specialist with a 155mm artillery company with active duty every summer; plus, disaster control duties nearly each spring during flooding of the Missouri River near his home town.

After graduation from college, he worked with highly classified military aircraft projects for 5 years, after which he spent the rest of his career in engineering departments designing, developing, and certifying business jet aircraft.  His career included Cessna Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas, Canadair in Montreal, Canada, Bromon Aircraft in Puerto Rico, and Learjet in Wichita and Tucson, AZ.   He retired from Learjet in 1998 as Director of Engineering Projects.  He was a licensed pilot, with an instrument rating, and accumulated nearly 2000 flight hours as pilot of single engine aircraft, one of which he owned for a few years in Wichita.

On July 26, 1968, Paul married Patricia Mae Welch and enjoyed 54 years of traveling and living in interesting places along with golfing, fishing, hunting and just being together.  Upon retirement in 1998 they moved to Bella Vista, AR where they continued their pursuit of having fun along with good times with good friends.  For several years Paul was especially interested in local affairs and contributed significantly to the efforts to incorporate the city of Bella Vista.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia; a stepdaughter and son-in-law, Stacy and Gregory Belanger of Kelowna, British Columbia; two granddaughters: Stephanie and husband, Kyle Barton of Calgary Alberta and Nicole and husband, Craig Simmons of Seattle, Washington; two great-grandsons Charlie and Oscar; stepson, William, of Gravette, AR; and brother, Robert VandenBerge of Kulm, ND.

A private celebration of life will be held with immediate family.

Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory where on-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com