Gary Vander Lende

My thoughts and Prayers Are with you all I am a cousin of Dan And Gregg Mom

Gary was an exceptional teacher and coach. He understood students don´t care what you know until they know you care. As a teacher and coach, he understood success working with young people has everything to do with establishing positive relationships. He had the ability to touch students lives in a most profound way. In short, he was a leader in his field and one of the best.

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Coach will be sorely missed by so many. I am honored to have known him.

My memories of Gary are threefold and set apart. When he began his career at Creston as a teacher in 1963, I was a 1964 graduate there. Then in 1969 as recent college graduates and newly married, my husband and I coincidentally met Gary and family at Aberdeen Reformed Church, where we all became friends. Years later Gary was the swim coach for our two sons while they were students at Creston. As their swim coach, Gary became a mentor and valued role model to them. His positive guidance ...