Published February 18, 2007
Belgium-Born Chaplain Dies at Age
92
Rev.
Victor J. Van de Walle died on Feb. 12 in Oklahoma City.
Father Van de Walle was born on June 8, 1914, in Diest, Belgium. Father Van, as he was affectionately known, will be remembered for his jovial nature and love of God.
Father Van de Walle was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on Aug. 4, 1940, in Scheut, Belgium, for the Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission Society. Father Van de Walle studied at the University of Louvain and held a master’s of science in education from the University of Southern California.
Father Van de Walle was attending the Scheut Seminary in Belgium when World War II broke out in Europe. Father Van de Walle survived numerous adventures during World War II, including working in the underground resistance movement and capture by the German army. Following his escape, Father Van de Walle, a recognized linguist fluent in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, English and his native Flemish, taught languages in a small community college while continuing to serve Belgian and British intelligence. Father Van de Walle later served as chaplain to the British and Belgian armies.
After World War II, Father Van de Walle wanted to become a missionary in China, but the rising tide of communism thwarted his efforts.
He came to the United States in 1947 to serve as a parish priest in Virginia. In 1948, he arrived in Oklahoma to work among the Osage Indians in Hominy and was incardinated into the Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa in 1950.
In 1953, Father Van de Walle entered the Army as a chaplain and spent many years serving the men and women of the armed services in Korea, Germany, Italy and the United States. He served as chaplain in the national armies of three nations.
Father Van de Walle retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel in 1969 and returned to Oklahoma. From 1969 to 1981, he served as chaplain for Villa Teresa and Saint Anthony Hospital and assisted at Saint Joseph Old Cathedral. In 1982, he began a period of ministry at Christ the King Church in Oklahoma City until he retired in 1986.
Although retired from full-time ministry, Father Van de Walle continued to minister to the homebound, elderly and ill until his own health declined. He also served as the chaplain for the Knights of Columbus for many years.
Father Van de Walle was born into the large family of Leo and Henriette (Holemans) Van de Walle, who preceded him in death. Of the 11 children of the Van de Walle family, three became priests and two took vows as women religious.
Father Van de Walle is survived by his sister, Palmyre Van de Walle of Kessel-Lo, Belgium, and a favorite brother-in-law, Jan Pierloz of Oostende, Belgium, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephew in Belgium and many friends.
A Vigil for the Deceased was held Feb. 14 at the Catholic Pastoral Center Chapel, 7501 N.W. Expressway in Oklahoma City. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Feb. 15 at the Catholic Pastoral Center Chapel with interment in the Chapel at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery, 7801 N.W. Expressway in Oklahoma City. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Smith and Kernke Funeral Home of Oklahoma City.