H. Kent Vanderhoef

1922 - 2012

Vanderhoef, H. Kent

H. Kent Vanderhoef, age 90, a longtime resident of Rockland County since 1943 died peacefully in Nyack on Sunday, August 26, 2012. Kent was born April 20, 1922 in Corning, NY. He graduated from Colgate University in 1942 and joined Kay Fries Chemicals in West Haverstraw as a Research Chemist in 1943. During World War II, he was an Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1943-1946 and served as Commanding Officer - USPC1192 in 1945-46. Following the war, he married artist Jerre Vanderhoef in Los Angeles. Coming back to Rockland County, he returned to Kay Fries where he remained for 40 years, retiring as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

During his long career, Kent also became very involved in corporate and civic affairs in Rockland County. He was Chairman of the Board of Orange and Rockland Utilities from 1993-1998 and Chairman of the National Alliance of Businessmen -Rockland County Unit. He was President of the Board of Trustees of Nyack Hospital, The United Way of Rockland County, Blauvelt Civic Association and the Upper Nyack Tennis Club. He served as a Director on the boards of United Water Resources, Ford Products, the Bank of New York's Northern Division Advisory Board, Empire National Bank, Rockland County Association, Rockland County Future Inc., Rockland Country Club Foundation, the Nyack Hospital Foundation, the Alliance of Chemical Industries of New York State and Chemical Manufacturers Association.

Kent was very active in the Blauvelt Lions Club. He also was a member of the Rockland County Council Boy Scouts of America Executive Board and in 1975 received the Distinguished Citizen Award. An avid tennis player and golfer, he was a longstanding member of Rockland Country Club, serving as President of Rockland Country Club from 1967-68 and the Tri-County Golf Association in 1971. An accomplished violinist, Kent was a member of the Rockland Symphony.

Kent is survived by his son C. Scott Vanderhoef of Blauvelt, his daughters, Megan, Kimberly and Erin and his sons Christopher and Robert, and daughter in law Colleen; and his daughter Carole Vanderhoef Banks of Jacksonville FL, her daughters Lindsay and Lauren, son in law George Banks and great grandson, Theoren.

Visiting hours will be Thursday 2-4 and 7-9pm at the Moritz Funeral Home in Tappan. A Funeral Service will be held Friday, 11am at Greenbush Presbyterian Church in Blauvelt with a private family burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Kent's name to Greenbush Presbyterian Church, 614 Western Highway, Blauvelt, NY 10913.

Moritz Funeral Home

98 Route 303 South

Tappan, NY 10983

(845) 359-0890

www.moritzfh.net