Terry Van Der Aa

Terry Van Der Aa, age 79, a long-time resident of Hinsdale, Illinois, went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 17, 2025. He passed away peacefully at his home in Naples, Florida. For 54 years he was the beloved husband of Linda Van Der Aa (née Eenigenburg); a devoted father to Michael, Kristin (John) Gianoulis, and Kelly (John) Wilbraham; and a cherished grandfather to Kees, Gage, Katelyn, Libby, Rita, Jane, and Margaret. Terry is survived by his dear sister, Joyce (the late Jim) Lagestee, and was preceded in death by his older brother, John "Son" (the late Joan) Van Der Aa, mother Katie Van Der Aa (née Schepel), and father Mitchell "Mike" Van Der Aa.
Born on January 16, 1946, Terry was raised in South Holland, Illinois. He attended Calvin Christian Grade School and Illiana Christian High School, forming the foundation of his lifelong dedication to faith, family, and Christian education.
Terry was a visionary entrepreneur. Terry's father, Mitchell, founded what later became Vancom, a transportation company in 1925. By the time Terry was 25 years old he was a co-owner of Vancom and played a pivotal role in its growth, turning it into the largest privately held school bus company in the United States. His leadership and vision extended to the privatization of public transit systems and airport shuttle services across the country. He also collaborated internationally, introducing competitive practices and the privatization of transit operations in the Netherlands.
Terry was deeply committed to giving back. In 2004, Terry became a founding member of Providence Bank & Trust, serving as Chairman of the Board. The bank became a trusted financial institution that reflected his values and dedication to supporting the community. He supported the Calvin Prison Initiative, which provides education to incarcerated individuals. The "Terry Van Der Aa Legacy Award" honors contributions to the program. He was passionate about prison ministry and will be laid to rest in a casket handcrafted by prisoners at Louisiana State Penitentiary.
Terry served on the boards of the Prison Seminaries Foundation, The Brooklyn Tabernacle, Timothy Christian Schools, Trinity Christian College, Calvin University, Ingalls Memorial Hospital, and the University of Chicago Hospitals. He also served as an Elder and on the Senior Leadership Team at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church. He was Chairman of the Board of Chuck Colson's Prison Fellowship ministry, reflecting his lifelong commitment to Christian education, faith, and community.
Terry loved traveling with the love of his life, Linda. Together they visited over 40 countries on all 7 continents. Known for his strong work ethic and unwavering dedication to excellence, Terry lived by the motto, "Anything worth doing is worth doing well." He was a man of deep faith, a loving family patriarch, and a trusted mentor to many. His influence will be felt for generations to come.
Terry will be remembered for his remarkable vision, generosity, and the profound impact he made on those around him.
Visitation Sunday, January 26, 2-7 PM at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126. Memorial Service Monday, January 27, 11 AM at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church. Interment Private. Funeral info: 630-932-1500 or www.knollcrest.net.
Memorial contributions in Terry's name may be given to Prison Seminaries Foundation online https://www.prisonseminaries.org/give or by mailing a check to:
Prison Seminaries Foundation
PO Box 1495
Walker, LA 70785 Click here for Terry Van Der Aa Service