- Born on: August 17, 1921
- Departed on: April 19, 2016
- Resided in: Traer, IA
Richard VanderMey II
Richard Robert VanderMey II passed away on April 19, 2016 at the age of 94 in Traer, Iowa. He was born in 1921 to Jennie (Ton) and Richard VanderMey I in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago, graduated from Fenger High School and earned a degree in Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. A Navy veteran, Richard served with honor in World War II as an officer aboard the battleship USS South Dakota.
Richard married Ruth Gertrude Zeigler in November of 1945. His career was with US Steel, working at the South Works plant in Chicago. Richard and Ruth raised their family and lived in South Holland, Illinois until 1989, when they retired to Sun City West, Arizona. Richard was a talented photographer and carpenter, and enjoyed traveling. He was a member of his church’s choir in Arizona, and did volunteer work at a local hospital and food bank. They moved to Traer, Iowa in 2013 to be closer to family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister Ruth Geneva VanderMey. Richard and his beloved wife Ruth enjoyed a happy marriage of 69 years until she passed away last year. He was a caring and devoted father, and is survived by his children Carol VanderMey of Palatine IL, Richard VanderMey III of Traer IA, Dave (Celeste) VanderMey of Mundelein, IL and Patty (Greg) Robinson of Bolingbrook IL, two granddaughters and five nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Sunrise Hill Care and Rehab Center in Traer for their caring and the many kindnesses extended to Richard and his family.
Richard married Ruth Gertrude Zeigler in November of 1945. His career was with US Steel, working at the South Works plant in Chicago. Richard and Ruth raised their family and lived in South Holland, Illinois until 1989, when they retired to Sun City West, Arizona. Richard was a talented photographer and carpenter, and enjoyed traveling. He was a member of his church’s choir in Arizona, and did volunteer work at a local hospital and food bank. They moved to Traer, Iowa in 2013 to be closer to family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister Ruth Geneva VanderMey. Richard and his beloved wife Ruth enjoyed a happy marriage of 69 years until she passed away last year. He was a caring and devoted father, and is survived by his children Carol VanderMey of Palatine IL, Richard VanderMey III of Traer IA, Dave (Celeste) VanderMey of Mundelein, IL and Patty (Greg) Robinson of Bolingbrook IL, two granddaughters and five nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Sunrise Hill Care and Rehab Center in Traer for their caring and the many kindnesses extended to Richard and his family.
