In Loving Memory

William Gerritt Vander Linden

For those that don't know, my dad passed away in April after battling Leukemia. He was my hero and was all things wonderful. He was everything a Father should be and I miss him so much. I will be posting some things I've written down over this experience, so they aren't lost or forgotten. Until then, I thought I would share his obituary:

William Gerritt Vander Linden 1952-2013, age 60

William Gerritt Vander Linden, loving and devoted brother, husband, father, and Opa, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2013, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with Leukemia. An inspirational role model to his family and countless others, Bill lived a life exemplified by love, duty to God and his country, integrity, and service. He was admired for his spiritual and physical strength, work ethic, and grounded values.

Born August 23, 1952, to Arthur and Ruth Naomi Van Seters Vander Linden in Salt Lake City, Utah, he learned the value of hard work by helping his father in the construction industry. After graduation from Olympus High School in 1970, he joined the Utah Army National Guard and completed his basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey and AIT at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland prior to serving his LDS mission in his beloved ancestral homeland of The Netherlands from January 1972 to January 1974. Upon returning from his mission, he enrolled in college at the University of Utah and soon after met his sweetheart, Kathleen Groesbeck. After a short courtship, they were sealed in the Ogden, Utah LDS Temple on July 18, 1974. He later graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with an emphasis in Urban Planning.

For 10 years Bill worked with his father and brothers in a family construction business as general contractors and later served as a zoning enforcement inspector, planner, building inspector, plans examiner, assistant building official, and building official for Salt Lake City Corp., Coalville City, and Summit County. While working for the various jurisdictions, Bill was an active member of the Utah Chapter of the ICC serving in many capacities including president. He continued his service in the Utah Army National Guard for twenty-six years, retiring in 1997 at the rank of Captain in the 142^nd Military Intelligence Battalion as a Dutch linguist. He loved his country and served it valiantly.

Bill enjoyed playing and watching athletic sports during his lifetime and spent many hours teaching his children, coaching them, playing sports with them, and traveling to many games returning in the wee hours of the morning. He was a devout fan of the University of Utah sports teams, the Green Bay Packers football team, and the San Francisco Giants baseball team.

His devotion to the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was his life’s mission. He was true to the faith and was an example in word and deed. His loyalty to God and his family were paramount in all that he did. He was a constant support to his wife and children in all of their endeavors. He honored the priesthood and cherished his relationships with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He wants no empty chairs! “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

Bill will be greatly missed and remembered by those surviving him, including his wife, Kathleen G. Vander Linden and their four children and spouses: William Gerritt (BJ) and Jennifer Vander Linden Jr. of South Jordan, Utah; April and Todd H. Schmidt and Catharina and Chad J. Lance of West Jordan, Utah, and Eric Spencer and Vanessa Vander Linden of Layton, Utah. Bill will greatly miss his thirteen precious grandchildren: Katija, Ethan, Gerritt, Jakob, Leah, Aunna, Joshua, Natalie, Neeltje, Eliza, Bradley, Caden and Megan.

Bill is also survived by his brother Scott B. (Ranae) Vander Linden; his sisters Tracy Otteson, Melanie (Wren) Fox, Joan (Brad) Herridge, Steffanie (Christopher) Staples, and sister-in-law Nola Vander Linden Carlson and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Christine, brother Arthur Vander Linden Jr., and brother-in-law Gregg D. Otteson.