Obituary for Donald Jon Van Gelder
Donald J. Van Gelder, 89 passed away February 22, 2022 in Roseland, New Jersey. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather.
He was born in New York and raised in Baldwin, NY. He graduated from Adelphi University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in physics. Don was a Cold War veteran. He served in Germany and was proud to be a member of the Big Red One. He married Carrie Taylor Ransom in 1956 they were married for 59 happy years. He spent 31 years with IBM as a systems engineer and was the product planning manager on the original IBM personal computer.
Don lived in Rochester, MN and Boca Raton, FL. He moved to Sun City Center, FL in 1992. Where he was a member of the community association committee that built the arts and crafts center, lawn bowling building and fitness center. He was on the team that designed and built St. John’s Divine Church and the Church annex in Sun City Center.
He is survived by his children Harry W. Van Gelder (Cheri), Cathy Van Gelder Poethke (James) and William D. Van Gelder (Terry), nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Don enjoyed watching the Tampa Bay Rays and tennis. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and generosity.
A Memorial Service will be scheduled in Michigan during the summertime. To extend condolences or for further information, please visit shookfarmer.com.
He was born in New York and raised in Baldwin, NY. He graduated from Adelphi University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in physics. Don was a Cold War veteran. He served in Germany and was proud to be a member of the Big Red One. He married Carrie Taylor Ransom in 1956 they were married for 59 happy years. He spent 31 years with IBM as a systems engineer and was the product planning manager on the original IBM personal computer.
Don lived in Rochester, MN and Boca Raton, FL. He moved to Sun City Center, FL in 1992. Where he was a member of the community association committee that built the arts and crafts center, lawn bowling building and fitness center. He was on the team that designed and built St. John’s Divine Church and the Church annex in Sun City Center.
He is survived by his children Harry W. Van Gelder (Cheri), Cathy Van Gelder Poethke (James) and William D. Van Gelder (Terry), nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Don enjoyed watching the Tampa Bay Rays and tennis. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and generosity.
A Memorial Service will be scheduled in Michigan during the summertime. To extend condolences or for further information, please visit shookfarmer.com.