Master and Commander
Posts: 1229
Location: NE Florida | Subject: Sunday Obit
https://www.facebook.com/ussvi.eternalpatrol/
The above link goes to the USSVI (United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.) Facebook page where their members who have gone on “Eternal Patrol” are noted.
I’ll keep my work here going, trying to get others who were not USSVI members. You’re encouraged to look there as well as here! Obviously, there’ll be some I miss and some I duplicate.
VANDERSANDEN .. .. .. William (Gary) Garrett VanderSanden June 8, 1934-June 6, 2024
Gary, as he was known to family and friends, was born in Seattle, WA to William (Bill) and Lois VanderSanden. A third-generation grandchild of his paternal grandparents who emigrated to Seattle from Amsterdam, Holland. He was predeceased by his younger brother, David.
Gary's mother grew up in PeEll, WA and traveling to her childhood home to spend summers with his maternal grandmother and extended family provided many memories that he loved to share!
Because many of his uncles were loggers, Gary recounted adventures hanging out around the logging camps and exploring the surrounding woods and river. He and a cousin were once treed by bear cubs and had to spend a scary night knowing the mother bear was not far away.
Other favorite family memories were digging razor clams, fishing in the surf and enjoying campfires on the beaches of Westport and Grayland. In Gary's later years, he and his family, as well as other family members would all maintain summer or permanent homes near Wash Away Beach in south Grayland.
Growing up in the Seattle area of Lake Washington Blvd, Gary spent many hours at the lake with his friends, learning to swim, water ski and tinker on boats.
The Seafair Festival was always eventful, and celebrated at his parent's home with a Salmon Bake for friends, relatives and neighbors.
While still a youngster, his parents bought land on Lopez Island. Gary recounted many happy stories of helping his Dad build their cabin and earning money doing odd jobs for neighbors. His independence streak and entrepreneurial talents really took root during those years.
Gary graduated from Franklin High School in 1953 and attended the University of Washington prior to enlisting in the Navy. While stationed in San Diego, CA he accepted an opportunity for submarine training and was relocated to Oakland.
Gary married Linda Ann Mitchell, also of Seattle. During their brief marriage, they welcomed daughters Teri and Suzanne. Once he returned to Seattle, Gary worked for a construction/road work company and learned to operate the backhoes and tractors that would later facilitate the opening of his own company. He remarried and he and his wife Sylvia, with new stepdaughter Debbie, welcomed his final daughter, Stayci.
Eventually, Gary relocated to Sherwood, Oregon. Single again, he fell in love with a vivacious and energetic woman, Teresa Eastman. Together they opened GVS Contracting, Inc. Eventually having over 60 machines and a fleet of red work trucks recognized by all! They built a new home in Newburg, OR and welcomed 2 sons, Clancy and Derek. Beloved by all who knew her, Terri tragically passed away from an aortic aneurysms 1984. Gary never remarried, raising the boys as a single dad, eventually relocating them back to the Seattle area after selling his business and retiring. There, the family built a home in Kirkland on Holmes Pt Rd. They would continue the many fun water activities that had been a hallmark of Gary's childhood and Gary fulfilled a dream of owning and piloting a boat to Alaska. Gary was very content with the life he had lived. He passed away on June 6, 2024.
Gary leaves behind 6 children:
Teri (Chris)Walster, Suzanne VanderSanden, Debra Jo Shannon, Stayci (Dan) Donihue, Clancy VanderSanden, Derek (Grace) VanderSanden
The family plans a memorial picnic celebrating what would have been Gary's 91st birthday this summer, on Lake Washington.
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Sunday Obit
