VanderLugt M.D., Ronald L. 8/5/1955 - 9/10/2022 Kalamazoo Age 67, passed away due to an accident on September 10, 2022, while fulfilling a lifelong dream on rafting through the Grand Canyon. Ron was born in Kalamazoo, MI, on August 5, 1955, the son of Thomas and Lorraine (Dykstra) VanderLugt. He graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School, Class of 1974, sought higher education at Calvin College, and received his medical degree from the University of Michigan. He completed a residency in ophthalmology at the University of Maryland. He returned to Kalamazoo in 1989 and opened up a private practice at Borgess Medical Center. Ron was a kind, thoughtful and had an empathetic heart which shined through in the way he cared for his patients, his family and his friends. He lived life to the fullest and never missed an opportunity to make lasting memories. He loved traveling, snow skiing, listening to music, cooking and entertaining. He was a tennis enthusiast who was involved with the USTA Boys 18's and 16's National Tournament held in Kalamazoo. Above all Ron loved his family and his friends. He was a loving son, loyal brother, dedicated uncle and friend. His kind smile and laughter will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his mother, Lorraine; two brothers, Dr. James (Susan) VanderLugt, Donald (Yumiko) VanderLugt; nieces and nephews, Dr. Joel (Shontel) VanderLugt, David (Janet) VanderLugt, Rachel (Kyle) Kuipers, Michael VanderLugt, and Michelle VanderLugt; eleven great-nieces and nephews; many friends. He was preceded in passing by his father, Thomas. A memorial service to honor and celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022, beginning at 11:00 AM at Grace Christian Reformed Church, 1724 Whites Rd. Kalamazoo, MI 49008, with Pastor Mark Scheffers officiating. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 10:00 AM, one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be given to The Christian Resource Center, or the Humane Society of South Central Michigan, c/o the funeral home. Friends and family may share a condolence message online at www.joldersma-klein.com.

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Published by Kalamazoo Gazette from Sep. 17 to Sep. 25, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Ronald VanderLugt

Sponsored by The Family.

27 Entries

Pat Daniel

July 24, 2023

I am so sad to say I just seen this while calling to make an appointment! I am in total Shock!! He was a gentle man & I saw him for years as my eye Dr. I will miss him!! Late condolences to his Family & Friends! I will Miss You, Dr. Vanderlugt!!

Hernán Varillas Guzman

June 13, 2023

Recién me entero. No lo puedo creer. Fui su paciente. Un gran médico. RÍP.

Hernán Varillas Guzman

June 13, 2023

Mis condolencias. Fui su paciente. Hoy, 6-13-2023 me he enterado. Lo siento mucho.

Aurelia Goodman

January 26, 2023

I´m just finding out about this now but nevertheless I am very sad to hear of his passing. He was my eye doctor for 17 years. I was one of the only young children he took on as a patient at the time I believe, but even as a kid I found his demeanor very calming. He was great at what he did and no one ever had a bad thing to say about him. Condolences to the family and may he rest in peace.

Paul Quada

November 14, 2022

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. What a great guy. Talented, easy to talk to, an intellectual; just the kind of ophthalmologist I'd always recommend to anyone looking for the go-to expert. Just thinking about the last appointment which I was in the office for a checkup brings a smile to my face.

Paul Holtrop

November 14, 2022

I lived with Ron for two years in Ann Arbor long ago and am saddened to hear of his death. He was a great guy, liked by all. May he rest in peace, and my sympathy to all his friends and family.

Sandra Kay Stevens

October 31, 2022

He was my eye doctor for 7 years now. He was very good at what he did and he did my cataract surgery. He will be missed heard of his passing this morning it was a shocker.

Barb VanderWeele

October 2, 2022

I worked with Dr. VanderLugt when he first came to Borgess! Very nice man and surgeon!

Brookelan

September 27, 2022

I met Ron officially on the second evening of our rafting adventure. I had the privilege of having very deep conversations with him as well as seeing his smile and hearing his laughter the entire morning prior to him passing. Like mentioned below he was a man of few words but the words he spoke will forever have an impact on all of us. He was such an amazing, sympathetic, caring man and will forever be missed.

John L Catalano

September 27, 2022

I THINK I'M THE FIRST person he saw when he opened his practice.

Claudia Flokstra Bishop

September 25, 2022

I went to high school with Ron, and was sorry to hear of his passing. You will be in my prayers.

Carolyn Hiestand

September 25, 2022

Sincere condolences to Dr. VanderLugt's family and friends. Both of my elderly parents were patients of his, and I would take them for their appointments. Dr. VL was always so kind, especially to my father during his final years of vision loss, and he kept me informed as their caregiver. I am so sorry to learn of his passing.

Darran Dewayne Smith

September 24, 2022

My Condolences to the Family & Friends, there are no word to say to make things allrite ill pray fir the family shead some tears and pray more for the Family and Friends throw these trying times for them.
I was a patient from the early 90's till the present.

William and Dawn Allen

September 22, 2022

My wife and I were patients of Dr. Wanderlust for nearly 20 years. He was a great doctor. We are very saddened by his passing and will miss the excellent care that he provided. His family will be in our thoughts during this difficult time.

Eternal Affection Arrangement- BASKET INCLUDED

Paragon Ophthalmology

Sent Flowers

Bill and Deb Christiansen

September 21, 2022

Ron was a good friend and also my doctor. We played tennis with a group of friends every week for years. I'll miss Ron on the tennis court and I'll miss the lively discussions that followed during dinner. Deb and I send our sympathies and condolences to Ron´s family.

Sally DeHaan Triemstra

September 20, 2022

Dr. VanderLugt was my eye doctor for the last 4 years. I just saw him about a month ago. It was a shock to hear about his accident. He will be missed by his patients.

Eddie & Diana

September 20, 2022

So so sorry to hear of Dr.
Vanderlugt's passing. He was a fine man and an excellent eye doctor.
He will be missed.

Trudy Ramgren

September 20, 2022

I was a patient of Dr. Vanderlugt for over twenty years. He was kind but a man of few words. He took good care of my issue with Glaucoma. After seeing him for so long I became lax in my appointments. He basically let me stroll in his office when I wanted to. Lol. He went with the flow of things I feel. Thank you for the care Dr. Vanderlugt and you will be missed. I just remembered that when my four year old grandaughter had an issue with pink eye, he took her right in .

Patrick Fillar

September 20, 2022

I only knew Ron for a few years. Monday night tennis with a group guys. He was a kind soft spoken person. But when he won a set, the joy was finally visible in him! I'm sure he loved other things more than tennis that also brought him joy. I also enjoyed talking with him about my daughter who is a young doctor. Shared some stories. I will miss him.

Lynn Coursey

September 19, 2022

Dr. Vanderlugt performed my first LASIK surgery years ago - now I am at the age where I need bifocals. I will certainly miss his quiet demeanor and professionalism. when my daughter accidently got super glue in her eye, she was able to get in to see him right away and I felt so blessed that there wasn't any permanent damage. I will miss him and was looking to schedule my annual appointment, when I read about this tragedy. He will be missed. I hope fond memories will comfort all those who shared some part of his life either personally or professionally. Sending my deepest sympathy to his family members who knew him best.

Mary Ellen Yealin

September 19, 2022

Dr VanDerLugt was a very kind man and doctor. He had a very very dry sense of humor and could always make me laugh. He also was very kind to see my husband on a Saturday for a torn retina and arranged for him to be seen in Grand Rapids that same day! He even told the retinal surgeon that we were leaving for Mexico the next day and even with that laser we were able to go!

I was fortunate to end up working down the hall from him at the Borgess Heart Institute the last few years and it was always nice to see him in the hallway. He will be missed. He was a wonderful person.

His family, friends and office staff are in my thoughts and prayers.

Karen Marie Schultz

September 19, 2022

I knew Dr Vanderlugt as a patient in need of care for an eye infection. It is a very kind, gentle, and generous person. I never had the pleasure of working with him in the operating room. May his family have warm memories and comfort from Jesus at this time.

ROCHELLE FERRIELL

September 18, 2022

Dr. VanderLugt was a good doctor and a lovely man. He will be missed.

Deb O'Brien-Goedde

September 17, 2022

We rafted with Ron and although only met him briefly, one could tell he was a character! His last days were filled with joy and adventure, our deepest condolences to your family! - Deb & Ron Goedde

carol braat

September 17, 2022

I knew Ron from Kalamazoo Christian high. He was a very nice guy. Sorry for your loss.----- Carol DeVries Braat

John and Susan Webster

September 17, 2022

Our sympathies and condolences to Ron´s family. May God provide you comfort during this difficult time.

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