TRAVERSE CITY —
Wendell Bruce VanderKlipp, 83, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 12, 2011, at Munson Medical Center, with his loving wife of 58 years, Dorothy, at his side.
Bruce was born in Grand Rapids on Oct. 1, 1927, and graduated from Creston High School. He served in the U.S. Army-Air Corps before earning an engineering degree from the University of Michigan.
He married Dorothy Vader on June 26, 1953, in Grand Rapids, and lived in Saginaw before retiring from the Dow Chemical Company in Midland after 32 years of service. He and Dorothy moved to Traverse City shortly after his retirement in 1988 and became active members of the community. He devoted many hours to the Presbyterian Church and Kiwanis Club, and dedicated his time and talents to countless service projects.
Bruce loved sports and was a devoted fan of his beloved Michigan Wolverines. He was always up for a round of golf and played regularly with his friends around Traverse City.
Always quick with a joke and a smile, Bruce will be remembered as a warm, genuine person. He embodied integrity and strong moral character, and his children and grandchildren continue to benefit from his life lessons and teachings. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, and will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.
Along with his wife, Dorothy, Bruce is survived by two daughters, Gretchen Schleicher, of Rochester, and Wendy (Mark) Johnson, of Tampa, Fla.; a son, Thom VanderKlipp, also of Tampa; and his son-in-law, Bruce Templeton, of McLean, Va. Seven grandchildren, Kara and Ally Templeton, Rachael and Tom Schleicher, Christine Johnson and Grace and Emily VanderKlipp also survive to cherish memories of their grandfather.
His daughter, Amy Templeton, preceded him in death (2000); as did his parents, Herbert and Cornelia VanderKlipp; sister, Jeanne Blattenberger; and brother, Robert VanderKlipp.
A memorial service in celebration of Bruce's life will be held at The Presbyterian Church of Traverse City, 701 Westminster Road, Traverse City, on Monday, May 16, beginning at noon. A time of visitation with the family will begin at 11 a.m., also at the church. The Rev. Becky Chamberlain will officiate the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to The Presbyterian Church or to a charity of one's own choosing.
Please share your condolences and memories of Bruce with his family by way of his online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .
The family is being served by The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Service.