Richard Leslie "Dick" Vanderveer, adopted son of Robert Leslie (1903-1990) and Dorothy Eva (Orrison) (1903-1974) Vanderveer, was born 22 April 1934, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Michigan.  Dick graduated in 1952 from Arthur Hill High School, Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan and furthered his education at Michigan State University with a BS degree.  In 1957-1958 he taught mathematics at Okemos High School.

After a few short years teaching, Dick moved into employment with State Farm Insurance Company where he was a claims adjuster.  On 6 July 1957, Saginaw, Dick married Mary Ellen Stetler.  By in late 1960's Dick again moved to another career, real estate.  He joined the family realty business.

Dick and Mary Ellen had two children.  Sadly the son, Gregory Scott Vanderveer, born 2 January 1960, while on his way home from school, darted out in front of a pickup.  The driver was unable to stop in time and Gregory suffered severe head injuries.  Gregory died 10 July 1972 and was interred Memorial Park Cemetery, Battle Creek, Calhoun County.

Twenty years later, 1 May 1992, Mary Ellen died "in Charing Cross Hospital, London (England), where she had been a  patient two days after being struck by a truck while crossing a street." (Battle Creek Enquirer (Battle Creek), Michigan Monday 4 May 1992)  Mary Ellen, born 26 November 1934, was laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery, Battle Creek.

Dick remarried in 1993 and continued with his successful realty career and was actively involved in community service.  Dick died 4 June 2007, Battle Creek.  He was interred with wife and son, Mary Ellen and Gregory Scott, in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Richard Leslie "Dick" Vanderveer, adopted son of Robert Leslie (1903-1990) and Dorothy Eva (Orrison) (1903-1974) Vanderveer, was born 22 April 1934, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Michigan.  Dick graduated in 1952 from Arthur Hill High School, Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan and furthered his education at Michigan State University with a BS degree.  In 1957-1958 he taught mathematics at Okemos High School.

After a few short years teaching, Dick moved into employment with State Farm Insurance Company where he was a claims adjuster.  On 6 July 1957, Saginaw, Dick married Mary Ellen Stetler.  By in late 1960's Dick again moved to another career, real estate.  He joined the family realty business.

Dick and Mary Ellen had two children.  Sadly the son, Gregory Scott Vanderveer, born 2 January 1960, while on his way home from school, darted out in front of a pickup.  The driver was unable to stop in time and Gregory suffered severe head injuries.  Gregory died 10 July 1972 and was interred Memorial Park Cemetery, Battle Creek, Calhoun County.

Twenty years later, 1 May 1992, Mary Ellen died "in Charing Cross Hospital, London (England), where she had been a  patient two days after being struck by a truck while crossing a street." (Battle Creek Enquirer (Battle Creek), Michigan Monday 4 May 1992)  Mary Ellen, born 26 November 1934, was laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery, Battle Creek.

Dick remarried in 1993 and continued with his successful realty career and was actively involved in community service.  Dick died 4 June 2007, Battle Creek.  He was interred with wife and son, Mary Ellen and Gregory Scott, in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Battle Creek Enquirer (Battle Creek, Michigan) Tuesday 5 June 2007

RICHARD L. VANDERVEER

BATTLE CREEK

Richard L. Vanderveer, 73, of Battle Creek died Monday, June 4, 2007, at Select Specialty Hospital.

He was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on April 22, 1934.  He was the adopted son, and only child of Robert Leslie and Dorothy Eva (Orrison) Vanderveer.  Dick was a 1952 graduate of Saginaw Arthur Hill High School, and received his Bachelors of Arts degree from Michigan State University in 1956.  He taught school and coached for 3 years.  Dick spent 10 years in the claims adjustment field with State Farm Insurance company.  He entered the family real estate business in 1968.  When he was an associate broker in 1985, the name was changed to Stetler Vanderveer & Associates.  During his real estate career in Battle Creek, he was president of the Battle Creek Board of Realtors in 1974 and again in 1986.  Dick was also the president of B. C. Multi-List Inc., a real estate organization, in 1988 and again in 1996.

Dick felt strongly about his community and served as Chairman of the Y Center Board for two terms, the Salvation Army Board, a Division chairman for United Way, was a teacher in the I.A. program and was appointed to the City Planning Commission where he served for 10 years.  He also was involved with the Chamber of Commerce as a committee chairman and also a member of the Board of Directors.

Dick married Mary Ellen Stetler on July 6, 1957, in the First Presbyterian Church.  The church activies were important to both of them.  Dick was an usher for 25 years and also served several terms as a Deacon and as a Trustee.

In July of 1972, Dick's 12 year-old-son, Gregory Scott Vanderveer, died as a result of a pedestrian/automobile accident.  In May of 1992, he wife Mary Ellen Vanderveer died as a result of injuries sustained in a pedestrian/automobile accident, while on vacation in London, England.

On October 16, 1993, Dick exchanged vows with Donna J. Bidelman, in the First Presbyterian Church.  They have had a wonderful life together.  Surviving are his wife Donna, his daughter and son-in-law, Kristyn Lee and Fred Denison, of Battle Creek; and his two grandchildren, Mathew and Ellie Maryellen Denison.

Dick enjoyed fishing, reading, woodworking, gardening and playing on his computer.

At the request of the family, friends may call after 2 p.m. Wednesday at Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, where the family will be present from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Jeffrey S. Carlson officiating.  Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

 

 

Battle Creek Enquirer (Battle Creek, Michigan) Tuesday 5 June 2007

RICHARD L. VANDERVEER

BATTLE CREEK

Richard L. Vanderveer, 73, of Battle Creek died Monday, June 4, 2007, at Select Specialty Hospital.

He was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on April 22, 1934.  He was the adopted son, and only child of Robert Leslie and Dorothy Eva (Orrison) Vanderveer.  Dick was a 1952 graduate of Saginaw Arthur Hill High School, and received his Bachelors of Arts degree from Michigan State University in 1956.  He taught school and coached for 3 years.  Dick spent 10 years in the claims adjustment field with State Farm Insurance company.  He entered the family real estate business in 1968.  When he was an associate broker in 1985, the name was changed to Stetler Vanderveer & Associates.  During his real estate career in Battle Creek, he was president of the Battle Creek Board of Realtors in 1974 and again in 1986.  Dick was also the president of B. C. Multi-List Inc., a real estate organization, in 1988 and again in 1996.

Dick felt strongly about his community and served as Chairman of the Y Center Board for two terms, the Salvation Army Board, a Division chairman for United Way, was a teacher in the I.A. program and was appointed to the City Planning Commission where he served for 10 years.  He also was involved with the Chamber of Commerce as a committee chairman and also a member of the Board of Directors.

Dick married Mary Ellen Stetler on July 6, 1957, in the First Presbyterian Church.  The church activies were important to both of them.  Dick was an usher for 25 years and also served several terms as a Deacon and as a Trustee.

In July of 1972, Dick's 12 year-old-son, Gregory Scott Vanderveer, died as a result of a pedestrian/automobile accident.  In May of 1992, he wife Mary Ellen Vanderveer died as a result of injuries sustained in a pedestrian/automobile accident, while on vacation in London, England.

On October 16, 1993, Dick exchanged vows with Donna J. Bidelman, in the First Presbyterian Church.  They have had a wonderful life together.  Surviving are his wife Donna, his daughter and son-in-law, Kristyn Lee and Fred Denison, of Battle Creek; and his two grandchildren, Mathew and Ellie Maryellen Denison.

Dick enjoyed fishing, reading, woodworking, gardening and playing on his computer.

At the request of the family, friends may call after 2 p.m. Wednesday at Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, where the family will be present from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Jeffrey S. Carlson officiating.  Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.