Harry Werner (Van) Sommer was born in San Pedro, California on May 10, 1927 to parents Otto and Dora. He graduated from Torrance High School in 1945, and then served our country in the Navy from March, 1946 until January, 1948. He attended UCLA (where he met his future wife Susan Elliott), and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1952. A year later Van and Sue were married. He worked at Shell Oil Company in Wilmington for ten years, then moved from Los Alamitos to Brea in 1963 and went to work for Hunt-Wesson, until he retired in 1989. He married Merle Clark in 1976, and after a few years living in Anaheim they moved to The Colony in Murrieta, California. He was an avid golfer and served as Men's Club President. Van truly loved his family. He took them camping and on vacations, and was active in Little League, Indian Guides, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts; he was there to comfort, protect, provide, and tuck his kids in bed. He is survived by his three children, Steve, Dave, and Sally, their spouses, and eight grandchildren. Van was a father to emulate, a kind and generous friend to many, and a joy to be around. He will be forever missed.