Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

February 19, 2022

Mr. Robert Paul Van Art, Jr., age 73, husband of Denise Jamison Van Art, died Saturday, February 19, 2022 following a prolonged illness. He was born May 18, 1948 in Woodbury, New Jersey, son of the late Robert P. Van Art, Sr. and Lois Edna Erieg both of New Jersey.

Robert Van Art entered the United States Navy at the onset of the Vietnam War. Since he had a background in computer science, he was assigned to the strike planning group of the Mine warfare planning division. During his tenure Robert was instrumental in the development of the Sustained Attrition Minefield Evaluation Model for the United States Navy.

Robert worked extensively with NAVCOSSAC and the David Taylor Model Basin in developing sophisticated war game simulators. He received the Navy Achievement Medal; the non combatant version of the Bronze Star. As his tour of duty was about to end his work was deemed to be essential to the war effort and he was extended until the war concluded.

Upon leaving the military Robert went to work for a company called Trilog. At the time Trilog was a leader in retirement plan recordkeeping and share holder accounting.

In 1983 Robert Van Art started his own company called TrustMark. TrustMark specialized in micro computer-based accounting solutions for the retirement and mutual fund industry. TrustMark quickly became an industry leader with over 300 of the country’s leading retirement providers as its clients including names like Fidelity, Invesco, Bank of America, and over 70 of the top financial firms in the country.

In 1995 Robert sold TrustMark to Charles Schwab Inc. He remained with Schwab until 1998.

After missing the stock market rally in 2013 Robert Van Art began detailed research into the fundamentals of the stock market seeking to understand risk and how it interacted with his investments. This ultimately led to the development of the Equilla model. The unique combination of experience in the retirement and mutual fund industry coupled with his ability to actually write computer code gave Van Art a unique capability in melding theory with practical application to develop a sophisticated investment model which consistently enhances performance.

In retirement Robert enjoyed spending time with his family, attending church as well as other hobbies and interests. Robert was a member of Banks Presbyterian Church in Marvin, NC where he served as an elder of the church. Survivors include his loving wife, Denise Jamison Van Art of Charlotte, NC whom he married on October 3, 2009 in Marvin, NC. In addition, he is survived by his sister; Ms. Joy A. Van Art and brother Mark D. Van Art and wife Barbara both of New Jersey. Also surviving are his children, Amy Van Art Honey and husband Brian of Greensboro, NC and Christopher E. Van Art and wife Andrea of Waxhaw, NC. In addition, he is survived by the following grandchildren: Robert Medina, Jacob Medina, Addison Neff, Austen Neff, Madelyn Honey, Lydia Honey, Adam Honey, Hallie Van Art, Lindsay Van Art and Avery Van Art; great grandchildren, Kaison Medina, Darrian, Jakobe, Skyler, Joseph and Janise (Wilson) and Leona and Zoey (Liddic).

Robert was preceded in death by a sister Jody D. Michelfelder and daughter Allison Van Art Neff both of whom passed in 2010.

The family of Mr. Van Art will receive friends on Saturday, February 26, 2022 from 2:00 until 5:00 PM at Kenneth Poe Services, 1321 Berkeley Avenue.

A Celebration of Life for Robert will be 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Banks Presbyterian Church. 10012 New Town Rd, in Waxhaw, NC, with Rev. Scott Hilborn officiating. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mint Museum of Charlotte, 500 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202 or The American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC; 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.