Robert Benjamin Vanderley

Robert Benjamin Vanderley, 86, passed away quietly at home on Thursday. He was born in Indonesia, son of the late Johan Fredrik van der Leij and Justine Koster. Mr. Vanderley retired from General Electric. He served in the Royal Dutch Navy from 1949-1956. He immigrated to the United States from The Netherlands with his wife and three young children in 1960 and later became a naturalized citizen. Mr. Vanderley formerly resided in Summerville, SC, and Damascus, MD. Mr. Vanderley leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Martina C. van Ritbergen; son, Allan (Eddie) and wife Caren Wagner of Belmont, MA, daughters, Brigitte (Joyce) and husband Keith Grimm of Centreville, VA, Ellen and husband Mark Thabet of Raleigh, and Ingrid and husband Charlie Cathell of Laurel, DE. He is also survived by grandchildren Major Nicole Foster (USAF), Heather Hamilton-Brown, Sheena Kaleshian, Bob Vanderley, Bryan Hamilton-Brown, Kelly Vanderley, Tyler Vanderley, Martina Major, Garrison Thabet and four great grandchildren. Mr. Vanderley joins his grandson, Michael Major, with our Lord. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 12, at 11:00 AM at Asbury United Methodist Church, 6612 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, NC 27613.  There will be a reception at the church immediately following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Alzheimers Association of Eastern North Carolina, 3739 National Drive, Suite 110, Raleigh, NC 27612. Arrangements by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Raleigh.