Ron Jay VanderZand

Ronald "Ron" VanderZand was finally reunited with the love of his life, Kathy, on December 20, 2025. He was preceded in death by Kathy as well as his parents John and Marion VanderZand and his brothers Larry and Roger. He leaves behind his stepchildren Brian and Nicole Dykhouse and granddaughters Emma and Molly, his brother Jim VanderZand and sisters in law Nancy VanderZand and Mary Anne VanderZand, six nieces and several cousins, as well as countless friends who loved him and will miss him dearly.

Ron was born in 1948 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was extremely mechanically inclined from a young age, and in 1969 after graduating High School was drafted and served his country on active duty in Vietnam. He was injured and was discharged in 1970. He was a Purple Heart recipient.

After returning home from Vietnam, Ron spent the remainder of his working years as a maintenance engineer for the Grand Rapids Public Schools. He reconnected in the late 1990’s with his former classmate Kathleen Linderman/Hudson and they fell madly in love. Ron married Kathy on June 25, 2006 on a beautiful day on the shores of Blue Lake at Larry and Nancy’s house. He retired from the public schools and focused on spending time with Kathy and their kids and grandkids. Their other interests included fishing, gardening, taking road trips, and hanging out with their friends.

Ron was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed pheasant hunting and especially fishing with his best friends; catching walleye pike at Croton Pond. He had a rare talent and was often able to bring dinner home even when everyone else said “they just aren’t biting today.”

In the most recent years Ron suffered from arthritis in his back and neck that made life challenging for him. Despite this, he treasured time spent with his family and was a weekly fixture at Sunday dinners, holidays and more. He really enjoyed watching his granddaughters play Volleyball whenever he could. His humble nature never allowed any focus on his own struggles. Instead, he made it known how much he valued time spent with his family. Dad, “Grandpa Ron” was there.

Ron was always up for a challenge. Whether it was metalworking, repairing things around the houses, or basically just taking on a “problem” and designing the perfect solution, he was an incredible craftsman.

Ron was in a single word the most SELFLESS person all of us who knew and loved him ever had the privilege to know. He will be deeply missed, but we take comfort knowing that he is finally pain-free and once again has the company of the love of his life. We know that we will see him again.

Funeral services will be held at Reyers North Valley on Friday, January 2nd at 12pm with a reception following at 1pm. There will be a visitation at 11am and a private family interment at Fairplains cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Ron’s memory to Disabled American Veterans. DAV.org