THOMAS van der VOORT Obituary

THOMAS van der VOORT
Thomas Lounsbury van der Voort died suddenly of a heart attack at his home in Alexandria, Virginia, on the morning of February 3, 2016. He was five days short of his 81st birthday. Following his education at The Lawrenceville School (class of ''53), Princeton University (''57), and Harvard Law School (''60), Tom moved to Washington, D.C., and began a career in public service. From 1960 to 1963 he worked at the Public Health Service; from 1964 to 1974 he served as Legislative Assistant to Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin; he joined the Staff of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee in 1975, playing a variety of roles until he left the federal government in 1988. From 1989 to 1996 he was President of van der Voort Associates. During a fulfilling 20-year retirement, Tom focused his substantial energies on collecting old time radio programs and stamps. His love of cinema led him to attend hundreds of movies every year. Tom is survived by his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth Fleming van der Voort; his brother A.B. van der Voort; his children, Tom van der Voort Jr. (Joan Horn), Leah van der Voort MacFarlane (Brian MacFarlane), and Rachel van der Voort (Michael Cragg); and his grandchildren, Arrietta and Adelina van der Voort; Kathryn, Carolyn, and Zoe MacFarlane; and Reid, Jack, Kobe and Nina Cragg, all of whom will miss his wit, intelligence, warmth, and companionship. A viewing will be held at the Demaine Funeral Home, 523 S. Washington St. on Thursday, February 11 from 6 to 8 p.m., with a funeral Mass at St. Louis Catholic Church, 2907 Popkins Lane, on Friday, February 12 at 10:30 a.m. Both locations are in Alexandria, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations payable to "Trustees of Princeton University"; memo: "Allocated to 1957 Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of Thomas L. van der Voort."

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Published by The Washington Post from Feb. 7 to Feb. 8, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for THOMAS van der VOORT

13 Entries

Bernd Wichert

January 30, 2019

I still miss Tom, his friendship and correspondence.
My thoughts are often with him due to my hobby of collecting and preserving historic recordings.
Bernd Wichert, Germany

March 3, 2016

It was a shocked when I got Elizabeth's news that my dear friend Tom has left us. We have known each other by writing and sending photos from time to time over the last 10-15 years because we shared the same hobby of collecting historic sound recordings.- He was a great man and I am sorry not having met him. He always loved to have his big family around him and my thoughts are with them and his wife Elizabeth. May God bless them all and give them strength in these days of mourning.
Bernd Wichert, Roetgen/Aachen, Germany

Terry Sauvain

February 15, 2016

Tom and worked together on the Senate Appropriations Committee for many years. I can remember when Tom first joined the committee. Every morning we would stroll down the hall in the Capitol from our office(now the Chairman's office)to the Senate Refectory for coffee with agency budget officers. Every morning Tom ordered tea with honey, his favorite beverage.
Tom handled his demanding assignments with ease, and always had time for a chat about the educational progress of his children, of whom he was so proud. Elizabeth would come to pick him up after work on occasion and his brother would come to visit. Tom was a dedicated public servant and dedicated to his mentor. the late Senator William Proxmire. Tom was an exemplary Catholic man and a good friend. Veronica and I send our condolences to Elizabeth and the family. Rest in peace, Tom.

Marion Morris

February 14, 2016

Tom was the consummate professional during the years I knew him working for the Senate HUD appropriations subcommittee. This was back in the day when the Senate was bipartisan, focused on solving problems, and the trains ran on time. Tom always had time for me and my requests. It was in an incidental conversation that he told me of his love of film. Which is how I realized he had a whole other life.
My sympathy to the family.

Tiffany Graham-Golden

February 8, 2016

The staff at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center shares in your sadness. Such a true film enthusiast -- we will miss his presence dearly.

Todd Hitchcock

February 8, 2016

Very sad to hear this and sending my heartfelt condolences to the van der Voort family. Tom was a very welcome presence at the AFI Silver Theater, and before that the AFI Theater at the Kennedy Center, going back decades. I enjoyed many conversations with him over these years about the movies, and occasionally radio, too, but more than anything I just enjoyed chatting with Tom. He was always quick to offer a word of praise for our efforts here, and his support meant a lot to all of us. A wonderful man.

Elisabeth Baynard

February 8, 2016

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. I was so saddened to hear of Mr. van der Voort's passing...your home was my second home for so much of my childhood, and I have such fond memories of life on Westmoreland Road. Please know that I am sending love to you all during this sad time.
The Constandy Family

Leonice

February 7, 2016

I'm so sorry for your loss. Tom will be deeply missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

February 7, 2016

One of the best experiences of my professional career was working with Tom on the Appropriations Committee staff. He was a remarkable public servant and an even better human being. He will be sorely missed. Much love and prayers to his family that he loved so much

Mary van der Voort

February 7, 2016

My prayers and love are with each and everyone who is feeling the grief of losing our dear funny,brillant,loving ,friend, all who's lives are certainly were enriched by knowing this man
I will miss him terribly.
I have so many great memories of our summers at Emerald Isle. I miss those days and people too.

Every single moment I had with my Uncle Tom will remain cherished memories.
Much Love and Peace for all of you.

Baxter Family

February 7, 2016

So sorry for your loss.

Jim English

February 7, 2016

Tom was a splendid example of what a public servant should be. He dedicated himself to his work and carried out his duties with grace, intelligence, and good humor throughout his outstanding career. It is an honor to have worked with Tom. He was truly a good and faithful servant. Well done my friend. Jim English.

peggy parsons

February 7, 2016

Such a wonderful man--he'll be missed so much by all of his 'film friends' at so many places around dc, esp. national gallery of art. I write this from the Netherlands, where so many men resemble Tom physically, that's quite interesting to observe... but now tinged with a lot of sadness.

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