Richard E. “Dick” Vanderzanden, 83, a lifelong native of the Verboort community, died Thursday morning, December 27, 2018 at his home. RICHARD EUGENE VANDERZANDEN was born January 28, 1935 in Verboort, Oregon, the son of the late William Vanderzanden and Louise (VanDomelen) Vanderzanden. He was raised and received his education at the Visitation School in Verboort, having been a graduate of the High School Class of 1953.
He was a Veteran of the Cold War Era, having joined the United States Marine Corps on September 20, 1956 in Portland, Oregon. Richard served for one year, until he received his honorable discharge on September 3, 1957 at the Marine Barracks on Treasure Island in San Francisco, California, at the rank of Private 1st Class. He had received the conduct medal.
Dick was united in marriage to Mildred Mary “Millie” Vanderzanden on November 19, 1960 in the Visitation Catholic Church in Verboort. Following their marriage they made their home in the Verboort community, where he had resided since. He was preceded in death by his wife, Millie, on November 16, 2012 in Verboort, Oregon, after celebrating over fifty-one years of marriage together.
Dick and Millie were very devoted for caring for her late mother, Mary Vandervelden, whom resided with them from 1977 until passing in 1997. He worked hard for his family and also cared for his late wife, Millie. He worked in the logging industry as a choker setter for Diamond Lumber Company from 1957 to 1960.
Richard then worked in the electronics industry as an Auditor for Tektronix, Inc., which later became Merix, from 1960 to 1997, when he retired. Dick was a lifelong member of the Visitation Parish in Verboort. Among his special interests, he enjoyed fishing, gardening and daily card games with Millie.
He and Millie also made several visits to the casino, and with his nieces after she passed. Dick enjoyed his local trips to the sports pub to play Oregon Lottery machines with his son, Gene. He also enjoyed movies of all kinds and spent many hours watching them on Showtime, as well as monitoring daily his digital weather station.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, William and Louise Vanderzanden; his two brothers, Ervin “Bud” Vanderzanden and Elmer “Elm” Vanderzanden and his three sisters, Viola “Lo” Vandehey; Melita “Lete” Kadell and Eva Yost. Survivors include his son, Gene Vanderzanden, of Verboort, Oregon; his brother and sister-in-law, Arthur “Art” and Patty Vanderzanden, of Verboort, Oregon and his two sisters, Virginia “Virg” Heynderickx, of Mt. Angel, Oregon and Agnes “Aggie” Richardson, of Elma, Washington.
Also surviving are his numerous nieces and nephews. The family suggests that remembrances may be contributions to the Visitation Cemetery Endowment Fund, 4285 N.W. Visitation Road, Forest Grove, Oregon, 97116, in her memory. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Richard Vanderzanden, please visit our Tribute Store.
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