Dick VanderVeen

Richard (Dick) Vander Veen of Grand Rapids. Dick was born November 26, 1922 in Grand Rapids and died here, leaving his loving wife of almost 60 years, Marion Coward Vander Veen. Dick and Marion were married in Lapeer, Michigan in 1946. Dick served in the U.S Navy and saw action in both WWII and the Korean War. Upon returning from the South Pacific, he graduated the University of South Carolina and Harvard Law School. Admiral Nimitz presented him the Most Outstanding Naval Graduate Award. Dick and Marion had three boys, Rich (Susan Pattullo) of Lowell, Larry (Lauren Scheer) of Washington DC, and Paul, also of Washington DC. Throughout his life, Dick founded and built many organizations and institutions. He wrote "Can one cultivate the ability to be creative? Marion taught me a little of what it is to see through the eyes of an artist. She has opened my mind to be creative is the noblest of all activity. The grand object of life is to create something for the good of all that never existed before." He founded and was President of the Vander Veen, Freihofer & Cook Law Firm, 1954-1974. He participated in founding Grand Valley State University and Channel 13, but his career love was always public service. In 1958, at age 36, John F. Kennedy came to G.R. and supported Dick Vander Veen's campaign for the U.S. Congress, joining him and U.S. Senator Phil Hart in the call for creative change. In 1974, the voters of the 5th District sent a message to Washington, DC when they elected Dick Vander Veen to the United States House of Representatives. In that February 18th Special Election, the majority of the voters agreed with Dick Vander Veen when he stated, "I say it is time to unlock Watergate's grip on our country. I say . . . the moral verdict is in." Dick won re-election and served proudly, particularly as a member of the Ways & Means Committee. He was known for continuing excellent constituency service for all citizens; speaking to groups across Kent and Ionia Counties on 51/52 weekends in 1974 - 1975, while maintaining a 99% voting record in Congress. Dick was appointed by Governors Williams, Romney and Blanchard to the Michigan Mental Health, Highway and Waterways Commissions. He took these appointments seriously and worked hard to improve life for Michigan citizens. Dick was a devoted husband, and he and Marion enjoyed traveling to Europe, Asia, Mexico, and the western U.S. throughout their marriage. He was a passionate sailor, and enjoyed numerous sailing trips with Irving Johnson, a world renowned sailor, author and early environmentalist. He was a wonderful father to his three boys, taking them on numerous camping and sailing trips, and instilling in them a great respect for our fragile earth as well as a love for sailing. He delighted in his five grandchildren, Kate, Betsy, Ben, Jacob, and Miles, and his great-granddaughter, Julia Rose, all of whom will miss him dearly. As a devoted lover of books, he founded Vander Veen & Company Rare Books. He founded and chaired the Ryerson Library Foundation (RLF) in 1990. The RLF raised over $14 million to complement the $31.5 million Grand Rapids Public Library renovations, giving Grand Rapids citizens seven new or updated branches and a new Main Library. The Library recognized this leadership, creating the Dick and Marion Vander Veen Center for the Book - an intellectual center which hosts monthly seminars with authors, historians and those who love the art of the book. The Vander Veen Center for the Book reflects the values and goals of the Library of Congress and the Michigan Library. The Vander Veen Fund also initiated the Celebration of the Book, an annual gathering designed to highlight the area's mosaic of literary and literacy offerings. He was a proud member and elder of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where his funeral service will be held on Sunday, March 5 at 2:30 p.m. Visitation Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 4291 Cascade Rd. SE. He will be sadly missed by his family and so many wonderful friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the GRPL Ryerson Library Foundation, 111 Library St. NE, Grand Rapids, 49503.