Birth date: Mar 9, 1938 Death date: May 8, 2012
Frederic Eugene VanBemmelen, Jr., age 74, of Spring Lake, passed away Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at his home. He was born March 9, 1938, to Frederic, Sr. and Marion (VanderMeiden) VanBemmelen in Grand Haven. He married the former Judith Read Obituary
Dear Fred,
So long my friend. Thank you so much for being an important part of my Scouting Memories. Your contribution to scouting meant a lot to the scouts, their families and their futures. I'm sure we will meet up yonder before long.
With Warmest Regards,
Bob Brady
Thank you to everyone for your thoughtful words. Fred was my hero and I miss him. This year I planted 72 tomato plants, because he loved tomatoes so much. I'll probably have a bumper crop and have to set up a stand to sell them. He enjoyed riding in his golf cart around the trails that he and Al Rose created across the street from our home. If Al wasn't with him then Duchess, our dog was riding with him. Fred loved to tell stories, especially about his boy scouts excursions and working at NOCH. Fred always said that it was his experiencen as a Boy Scout leader that gave him success in later years.
Judy and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I remember Fred way back in the First reformed days and especially from his days as CEO at NOCH. We all loved and respected his gift for managing and nurishing those who worked for him. Every employee felt special in his presence. We will all miss him.
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Fred. My connection with him dates back to 1944, when we first moved to the Tri-Cities area from Suttons Bay, during WW-II. We first moved to Coles Park, SL, and then to 1306 Columbus, right next door to Fred. He was in that same Class of 56' as my late brother Louie L. Weiler, just one year ahead of me. We also were members of the First Presbyterian Church in GH. I can always look back at all the good times we had on the 1300 block of Columbus, like in 1945 when the war ended in Europe (VE Day), and all of the church bells rang and rang, and we all ran out to the street and celebrated. Similarly for VJ-Day later in August. I will always remember Fred as kind and generous, and I will never forget the great times we had as children, carefree and fun loving.
Dr. Frank C, Weiler
Sr. Staff Scientist
Lockheed Martin Co.
Advanced Technology Center
Palo Alto, California
I am very sorry to read of Fred's passing. I was a member of Fred's scout troop in the 1960s. Fred had a knack for attracting the best and the brightest young men of Grand Haven and for teaching Scouting values. He also obtained strong support from the scout's dads. With their help we took an unforgettable trip to Isle Royale in Lake Superior, purchased forty acres north of Muskegon for a troop camping property, erected a surplus Army barracks building on the property, and camped there and elsewhere in all kinds of weather. The troop spent many summers at Camp Shawondossee, and a number of troop members became counsellors there as they grew older. A few years ago I met Fred again at a Shawondossee reunion at the Duck Lake State Park. He was warm and friendly as ever, and I said how remarkable it was that he advanced from head of the shipping and receiving department at Steketee's to president of a bank. That achievement was a testament to his management skills and his wonderful personality. Even though I live far from Grand Haven, I have thought of Fred frequently over the years. He taught us scouts to work hard, to be helpful to those less fortunate, and to be ethical to others in every respect. I will always be grateful for his mentorship.
Tom Fegley
COO, Omega Optical, Inc.
Brattleboro, VT
I miss you so much already grandpa. You were a great inspiration in my life. I loved listening to your stories and hearing your advice. There are so many things I wish I could say and so many things I need your advice on, but now its too late. I know your up in heaven with God and I will see you again some day. I hope I am just like you some day. I love you Grandpa.
Anthony Pearson
Judy, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Fred was a wonderful man to talk to in Saugatuck and a perfect host when we had a tour of your beautiful home and gardens. we will truly miss him and always carry the pleasure of knowing him in our hearts. Love, John, Trish, Caitlin and Michelle Duffy
Judy and Family: We were very sorry and saddened to hear about Fred. We are very glad that we got to the reunion last year and able to spend time at your house with the two of you when we went with Claire and Ross, Jim and Paula and Paul and Mary. Please pass on our condolences to Aunt Marion for us. We wish we could be there but Dorothy could not make the trip yet. Please know that our prayers are with you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Dorothy and Dennis Nehls
