Richard "Dick" Herman VanDierendonck

Dick is survived by his daughter, Lissa, her husband, Kenneth, their children, Ryan, Megan, Matthew, Casey, and Kevin in North Carolina, and in Milwaukee, grandson, Chad, and his wife, Caitlin, and their two children, Lilly and Asa; grandson, Garret; and Dick’s fiancé, Anita Gordon. Dick was widowed in 2006 when his wife of over 50 years, Valerie, passed away.

Richard was born in Wyandotte, Michigan, son of the late Raymond and Jean VanDierendonck. Dick graduated from Roosevelt High School where he played football, was a member of the golf team, and track. Dick was a veteran serving in the Army from 1954-1956 stationed at Fort Bliss in Texas where he served as an artillery instructor training future officers that graduated from West Point and college R.O.T.C. programs. He also served as Honor Guard at Fort Bliss.

Dick attended Walsh College and University of Detroit earning a BBA majoring in Marketing and earning minors in Philosophy and Psychology. His career in management included positions with Wyandotte Chemicals, BASF, Northern Telecom, and Champion International. Dick retired from The Waldorf Corporation as a Vice-President.

During his youth, Dick was involved with Boy Scouts serving as a neighborhood commissioner, active in annual United Way campaigns in the Detroit area. He was also a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement in his home town of Wyandotte. Dick loved golf, bridge, chess, and enjoyed working outside in his yard. He also enjoyed the activities and interaction with his senior social group, The Funbunch, which had been organized in 1997 by his late wife, Valerie.