It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Jason Augustus Van Hoof, aged 47, who passed away suddenly on the evening of July 21, 2024.
Born to Patricia Wittmann and Peter Van Hoof, in Appleton Wisconsin, Jason, along with his older brother Steve, were the light of his parents’ lives. Jason as a baby was rarely seen out of his mother’s arms. These early years were filled with memories and laughter, while developing his strong Catholic values and his incredible sense of humor. Later in life, he was blessed beyond measure when his family grew to include the Wittmann family, gaining three siblings and an incredible father figure, Hugo.
Jason attended Xavier High School, where he was class president and led his basketball team to a State Championship title (Go Hawks). Jason went on to attend Marquette University where he studied business, graduating with a degree in finance. This is where he met the love of his life, Melissa (Beckman) during his freshman year. After several casual but spark-filled interactions on the elevator of their dorm, Jason was recruited to join her struggling co-ed intramural basketball team, Dunkin’ Go Nuts, leading them to an intramural championship. Their fate was sealed. Jason and Melissa shared a love for the outdoors, college basketball, storytelling, adventure, and family.
College was also where Jason began his love and appreciation for theatre as well as the Jesuit mission for service. This prompted a move to Manhattan after college to work with the National Theatre Workshop of the Handicapped led by Father Rick Curry, providing training and performance space for writers and performers with disabilities. His career then led him to a short stint in San Francisco, where he decided the desk life may not be for him. Jason became a ski instructor at Big Sky Resort in Montana until he found his way back to the Midwest in Chicago, ultimately landing a job at Takeda Pharmaceuticals. It was during this time when his brother Steve faced his second battle with cancer. Jason walked side by side with Steve during his fight with many extended trips to New York City for his treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Losing his brother on New Year’s Eve of 2006 shattered his heart, and he spent the remainder of his life keeping Steve’s memory alive.
Jason and Melissa married in Shakopee, Minnesota on October 1st, 2005, surrounded by family and friends, dancing the night away. Jason added laughter to every Beckman family gathering and was a treasured member of their extended family. A few years later, Melissa and Jason began their family in a small apartment in Chicago welcoming their daughter Lucie Loretta in 2008. Jason fell madly in love with Lucie and was the proudest dad. A year later he was given the opportunity to relocate to Rochester, NY with Takeda as a District Manager, which afforded his family the opportunity to spread out in a lovely home with a gorgeous yard. He was convinced he couldn’t love another child like he loved Lucie, until Grace and Steven were born 17 months apart in Rochester. Jason loved his kids with all his might, and he was their best playmate. He couldn’t be in the room without them giggling. During this time, he transitioned to working for Johnson & Johnson in 2012 which ultimately led his family to their home in Doylestown, PA. This is where they welcomed their sweet daughter, Alice, in 2015. They found an instant community in Doylestown and at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School and Parish.
Jason had many passions and loved sharing them with his family. He taught each child how to ski, coached every kid in multiple sports, and directed their school play, all while keeping them laughing. Teaching, coaching, and playing basketball gave him incredible joy and nothing brought him more pleasure than sharing this with his children, especially Steven. Melissa and Jason treasured the time they spent working on the school play together, often discussing their creative visions over dinner. His love of theater inspired everyone around him. Every decision Jason made was about his family, and it shows in his four incredible children, who will be his biggest legacy.
Jason was a formidable leader and deeply committed friend and colleague. Jason’s loyal friendship and willingness to serve others was one of the most enduring aspects of his radiant personality. He was quick to make friends and was known for his spot-on impersonations. He was incredibly witty. He was kind. He was generous. He was unflappable in his ability to see the good in others. He relished his annual trip with his father and his friends to fly fish in Montana, describing it as “God’s country”. Jason will be incredibly missed by so many.
Jason is survived by his wife Melissa; their four children, Lucie, Grace, Steven, and Alice; and his beloved dog Ginny. He is also survived by his mother Patricia Wittmann and her husband Hugo; his father Peter Van Hoof; his sister-in-law Sarah Van Hoof; and the Wittmann family: Jake Wittmann (Sarah), Michelle Dietz (Mike), Mark Wittmann (Cathy), and many nieces and nephews. Jason is preceded in death by his brother Steve, his grandparents Ruth and Peter Buffone, and his grandfather Francis Van Hoof.
Relatives and friends are invited to his Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., Tuesday July 30 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 235 East State Street, Doylestown where the family will greet guests from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. Interment will immediately follow Mass in Doylestown Cemetery.
The family will also greet guests from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday July 29 at Reed and Steinbach Funeral Home, 2335 Lower State Road, Doylestown.
The Jason Van Hoof funeral will be live streamed on the Our Lady of Mount Carmel website. Go to the watch tab and press live from the drop down menu .
In lieu of flowers, all memorial contributions to the family will go towards the Van Hoof children’s education to: Att: Melissa Van Hoof, P. O. Box 4, Plumsteadville, PA 18949-0004.