1922
Don
2015
Don Ward Vanderbeek
September 22, 1922 — October 13, 2015
Don Ward Vanderbeek was born September 22, 1922 in Summit, New Jersey to Dr. James L. and Ruth Marie Vanderbeek. Dad attended military and private schools in Summit where he enjoyed playing many sports. However, at the age of 15, his father died unexpectedly, so he and his mother moved to Monticello, Ut to stay on the Muzzleman Dude Ranch that was owned by a family friend. It was there Dad developed the love for horses and all things "western".
From Monticello, Dad moved to Logan to live with friends who introduced him to Elaine Roberts who later became his wife and our sweet mother. He returned to Philadelphia, Pa to work in the Philadelphia Naval Yard. When Pearl Harbor was bombed, Dad tried to join the army but that didn't happen because his papers were lost. He returned to Logan where he was baptized a member of the LDS church and married Elaine on her birthday, December 1, 1943. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple.
Their daughter Ruth was born in 1945 and six weeks later Dad received "Greetings From the President." Dad served in the army in the Aleutians Islands during World War II. In 1951, Dad received a wonderful Father's Day gift with the birth of their son, James Don.
Dad was a loyal and dedicated employee throughout his life. He was employed as a heavy duty mechanic at Lundberg Motor Co for 14 years. He then worked as a glazier at Bennett's Glass for 15 years, and then as a glazier at USU for 17 years. While working at USU, he earned the first ever Classified Employee of the Year Award in 1987. He also managed the Logan Drive Inn Theater for 18 years, which meant he worked both day and night for many years. Dad was happiest when he was serving or helping others.
Dad was preceded in death this year by his brother James Lawrence Vanderbeek and his eternal sweetheart and wife of 71 years, Elaine Roberts Vanderbeek. He is survived by daughter, Ruth (Dwight) Mickelson and son Jim (Sharla) Vanderbeek, nephews Jim and Dave Vanderbeek, nine grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank friends, neighbors, and employees of Terrace Grove, Sunshine Terrace and Hospice for loving care given to both Mom and Dad through these many years.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 16, 2015, at 11:00 AM in the Hyrum 1st Ward at 95 North 675 West. A viewing will be held prior to the services from 9:30-10:30 AM. Interment will be in the Paradise Cemetery with military honors conducted by the South Cache Post of the American Legion. Condolences may be extended to the family online by visiting www.allenmortuaries.net
From Monticello, Dad moved to Logan to live with friends who introduced him to Elaine Roberts who later became his wife and our sweet mother. He returned to Philadelphia, Pa to work in the Philadelphia Naval Yard. When Pearl Harbor was bombed, Dad tried to join the army but that didn't happen because his papers were lost. He returned to Logan where he was baptized a member of the LDS church and married Elaine on her birthday, December 1, 1943. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple.
Their daughter Ruth was born in 1945 and six weeks later Dad received "Greetings From the President." Dad served in the army in the Aleutians Islands during World War II. In 1951, Dad received a wonderful Father's Day gift with the birth of their son, James Don.
Dad was a loyal and dedicated employee throughout his life. He was employed as a heavy duty mechanic at Lundberg Motor Co for 14 years. He then worked as a glazier at Bennett's Glass for 15 years, and then as a glazier at USU for 17 years. While working at USU, he earned the first ever Classified Employee of the Year Award in 1987. He also managed the Logan Drive Inn Theater for 18 years, which meant he worked both day and night for many years. Dad was happiest when he was serving or helping others.
Dad was preceded in death this year by his brother James Lawrence Vanderbeek and his eternal sweetheart and wife of 71 years, Elaine Roberts Vanderbeek. He is survived by daughter, Ruth (Dwight) Mickelson and son Jim (Sharla) Vanderbeek, nephews Jim and Dave Vanderbeek, nine grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank friends, neighbors, and employees of Terrace Grove, Sunshine Terrace and Hospice for loving care given to both Mom and Dad through these many years.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 16, 2015, at 11:00 AM in the Hyrum 1st Ward at 95 North 675 West. A viewing will be held prior to the services from 9:30-10:30 AM. Interment will be in the Paradise Cemetery with military honors conducted by the South Cache Post of the American Legion. Condolences may be extended to the family online by visiting www.allenmortuaries.net
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Don Ward Vanderbeek, please visit our flower store.
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