Robert John Vanderveen

Robert John VanderVeen, age 83 of Delton, Michigan passed away March 21, 2016 in Bradenton, Florida.

Robert was born February 14, 1933, the ninth child of John T. and Ada (VanderWoude) VanderVeen. In 1933 Gilmore's Department Store held a contest for the most beautiful baby. Robert was chosen from the lovely portrait submitted by his mother. Robert attended Schoolcraft Community Schools, graduating with honors in 1951. He enrolled in Kalamazoo College, played football, and basketball, until drafted into the Army, where he served as a water specialist, purifying water for the military hospital, during the Korean War. Robert married Alice Marie Eberstein in LaGrange, Indiana on February 15, 1954.

Robert graduated from Western University in 1958 and obtained his Master's Degree from MSU in 1968. He taught and coached in Eau Clair and Haslett, Michigan. He came to Hastings Area Schools in 1963 where he was a teacher and Varsity basketball coach. His basketball team of 1965 won the first class A District basketball tournament for Hastings High School, against Battle Creek Central.

Robert's teaching career spanned 35 years from 1958 to 1993. He served as Principal at Hastings High School for 18 years and Director of Education in Hastings for 7 years.

Upon retirement Robert moved to Wall Lake and enjoyed many family activities with his beloved family and friends. He was famous for hosting Camp Grandpa, where his grandsons and friends came to spend many hours doing lake activities. Robert's great love was his family. He followed his sons, David and Scott in football, basketball and golf. Later he would follow his grandchildren through their high school and college years. The achievements they made in sports and educational goals were many.

Robert spent winters with wife Alice in Bradenton, Florida for many years. They enjoyed playing golf and tennis with many friends.

Robert was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Rotary Club, Elks, and American Legion. He was executive secretary of the MI principal's association and Robert won the area golf championship at the Hastings Country Club in 1965.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, John T. and Ada VanderVeen, sisters, Margaret (Harry) Bailey, Josephine VanderVeen, Claire (Stanley) Earle, Janet (William) Brown, brothers, Harold VanderVeen, Donald (Bette) VanderVeen, John T. VanderVeen Jr. and Thomas VanderVeen.

He is survived by his wife, Alice VanderVeen of Delton, sons: David (Debra) VanderVeen of Hastings, R. Scott (Mary) VanderVeen of Alto, grandchildren: Eric (Jennifer) VanderVeen Mark (Christie) VanderVeen, Andrew VanderVeen, Kyle (Tessa) VanderVeen, Steven VanderVeen, Jacob VanderVeen, Maria VanderVeen, great-grandchild, Henry Robert VanderVeen, sister-in-law, Adelaide VanderVeen, God-sons: Barry (Jane) VanderVeen and Donald VanderVeen, daughter-in-law, Kim VanderVeen (Norm McNees), and many nephews, nieces and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hastings Area Schools, First Presbyterian Church , Barry County Commission on Aging, Habitat for Humanity or a Charity of One's Choice.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church, 405 N. M-37 Hwy., Hastings at 11:00 am. A one hour visitation period will precede the Memorial Service from 10:00 am until service time.