Gordon S. Vanderschaaf

Gordon S. Vanderschaaf, of Milford, MI, passed away after a short battle with lung cancer, surrounded by his family, in the late hours of Wednesday, January 25, 2023. He was 71 years old.
Gordon was born in Grand Rapids, MI to Clarence and Grace Vanderschaaf as their first-born son. His mother and father immigrated in 1943 from Friesland in the Netherlands. Gordon grew up in Grosse Pointe, MI and attended Grosse Pointe South High School. He graduated in 1969. He attended Northwestern College in Iowa, majoring in Sociology. He held jobs in banking, automotive sales and finally in the Small Business administration for the federal government.
As a son, Gordon was energetic and did get into mischief, in a loving way. He enjoyed playing in the band and attending band and church camps. As he transitioned to an adult he was caring and helpful to his parents. When his mom and dad made the move to Banner Elk, NC, he took a week off to help in the move. When visiting his parents, he always made time to help them in any ongoing projects. He always kept in contact with them via phone or visits.
Gordon was the big brother to Art and Cindy and of course Art's wife Nancy. He showed an entrepreneur characteristic early. He would frequently enlist his siblings in schemes to earn money to pay for extra things that he wanted. Grosse Pointe South was a closed campus where students were not allowed to leave for lunch. His mother was a teacher at the high school, so he would take his mom's car since she had the necessary decals to leave the parking lot, and go buy $1 burgers. He would then resell them to students for $2.00! This is one example of the many schemes he employed during high school.
As a loving and loyal husband, he did many things to help his wife of 39 years, Rose. His body clock had him going to bed late and struggling in the morning. Rose was the opposite as a morning person. When his three children were newborns, Rose took the first night feeding. He would then take the baby and care for him/her and did the second night feeding so that Rose could get at least a solid 4 hours of sleep. He was a wonderful companion, gardener and generous husband.
Gordon was a father to Carissa, Victoria and Nathan. His children were everything to him. He helped care for them and always had time to play with them - giving them horsey rides, talking to them in the Donald Duck voice, taking them on tractor rides, etc. He was the kind of father that came to the majority of their school events. As the children grew to teenagers, he could also embarrass them by cheering very loudly for them. In the end he was so proud of the adults that they became. All three are hard-working, loving individuals.
Gordon was an uncle to many nephews and nieces and well as a great uncle to a large "slew"! He read to them, played with them and watched over them. At Hilton Head Island, one of his young nieces remembers when was out with her first "boyfriend" at the hammock area. He put on a miner headlamp and popped out from the bushes where they were hanging out. He let her boyfriend know that he was keeping an eye on her. He was very nurturing and kind to all of them.
Many friends stopped by this week to talk about what a good friend he was to them. He helped one through a financially difficult time and another one when he was going through a devasting divorce. He was the kind of friend that came by when you were sick or in the hospital. He comforted you when dealing with a death of a loved one, always offering to help when help was needed. He was very out-going, social and thoroughly enjoyed all kinds of people. Gordon was always the life of the party. Who can forget all the weddings with the necktie tied around the forehead?! It is forever a Vanderschaaf family tradition now!
In short, Gordon was truly a good decent human being who loved the outdoors, gardening, animals, traveling and being with family and friends. He was hardworking, loyal, kind, loving and generous with all his children, family and friends. He truly left behind a wonderful legacy in this world with Carissa, Tori, Nathan and his loving wife Rose.
Gordon is survived by his beloved wife, Rosemary (nee. Petyk) Vanderschaaf; his children, Carissa, Victoria and Nathan Vanderschaaf; his brother, Arthur (Nancy) Vanderschaaf and his sister, Cynthia Vanderschaaf as well as a multitude of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family members and dear friends.
Gordon is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Grace (nee. Wiersma) Vanderschaaf.
A Memorial Service will be held at Lynch and Sons Funeral Home, 404 E. Liberty St., Milford, Michigan at 1:00PM on Saturday, January 28, 2023. Friends and family may gather from 11:00AM until the time of service. Pastor Tom Anderson to officiate.
For further information, please call Lynch & Sons, Milford at 248-684-6645.