Dick VanRaalte's Obituary
Mr. Dick VanRaalte III, of Grand Haven ended his 10 year battle with lymphoma on Saturday, August 3, 2019. He was born June 22, 1950 in Grand Haven to Dick, Jr. and Marilyn (Holtrop) VanRaalte. On October 8, 1977 he married Glenda Bronson in Grand Haven.
Dick attended Grand Haven Public Schools and graduated GHHS in 1968. He earned a bachelor’s degree in renewable energy systems from Jordan Energy Institute in Cedar Springs in 1984 and was a nationally certified residential energy auditor.
He served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps Aviation Wing at Cherry Point, NC where he worked on Vstol Harrier jets ordinance and weapons systems and also NCOIC of the tank shop.
Dick also served as a past chairman of the Ottawa County Solid Waste Planning Committee, was on the Ottawa County Parks Steering Committee, and was part of North Ottawa Recyclers. He also worked very hard to prevent a landfill from being placed within the Grand River’s hundred year flood plain. The area is now the Bass River Recreational Area enjoyed by so many in Robinson Twp. on 104th Ave. including himself and his wife, Glenda, who were avid mushroom hunters.
Dick enjoyed the waters in our area more than anything especially if there was a boat involved. His personal boat was a 1958 Beeline Deluxe Sapphire with huge fins often seen cruising on the river or in his aluminum rowboat up Crockery Creek.
After many years honing his skills as a carpenter, boat builder, and restorationist, VanRaalte opened Starboard Marine Restorations in Grand Haven in 2000 and worked at it until the end of his life. He restored antique and vintage fiberglass and wood boats, many of which were award winners at boat shows around the state. He also restored old outboard motors to go with some of the smaller boats he restored as well as offering repair services.
He was instrumental in the organization and sponsorship of the annual Spring Lake Wooden Boat Show. He was also active in the Antique and Classic Boating Society (ACBS), the Century Boat Club, and the Antique Outboard Motor Club International (AOMCI).
He was also employed by Ottawa County Parks and Recreation as a gatekeeper at Riverside Park in Robinson Twp.
Dick is survived by his wife of 41 years, Glenda; son, Anthony; four grandchildren: Auryn, Mary, Nythanyal, and Talon; sister, Joy (Bill) Quinn. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A time of celebration will take place 5-8 PM Thursday, August 29, 2019 at The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Memorial contributions in memory of Dick may be given to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com.
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