RODRICK EARL “ROD” VANDERZANDEN was born March 13, 1918 in Forest Grove, Oregon, the son of Isadore and Bernardina (Heesacker) Vander Zanden. He was raised on the family homestead farm and received his education at the Visitation School in Verboort.
He was married to Maxine L. Feldt on October 5, 1939 at the Visitation Catholic Church in Verboort. Following their marriage they have made their home on the Vander Zanden Family homestead farm in Forest Grove. Rod and Maxine celebrated their 63rd Wedding Anniversary this past October.
Rod had worked for several sawmills in the area, including Carnation, Gales Peak, and McKay, until about 1961 when he began working for Tektronix. Rod worked for Tektronix for twenty-two years as supervisor of the carpentry crew until he retired at the age of sixty-five. Throughout his lifetime, Rod also farmed 109 acres of the homestead farm.
He was a lifelong member of the Visitation Catholic Church in Verboort, a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, A.A.R.P. as well as a charter member of the Forest Grove Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. #2440. Rod was a member of the National Gopher Association. He was known as a master trapper and his business cards stated “Have Traps Will Travel”.
Among his interests, Rod enjoyed gardening, flowers and caring for his yard. He loved his family and always enjoyed spending time with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.
He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Fred, Nick, Andy, Clem and Paul VanderZanden; two sisters, Theresa Long and Dora Greene; a daughter-in-law, Judy Vander Zanden in 1993; and a son, Toby, M. VanderZanden in 1997.
Rod passed away July 11, 2003 at the Marquis Care at Forest Grove. He is survived by his wife, Maxine L. VanderZanden of the family home in Forest Grove; two daughters and sons-in-law, Susan J. and John Davis of Forest Grove and Dana M. and Dan Wood of Portland; a son and daughter-in-law, Kerry W. and Eldena VanderZanden of Forest Grove; nine grandchildren and their spouses, Troy and Lea Davis of Gaston; TimiSue and Bruce Abbott of Hillsboro; James VanderZanden of Forest Grove; Erika and Mitch Myrick of Independence; Juston Wood and Darren Wood both of Portland; Dawn and Steve Andresen of Forest Grove; Danielle and Daryl Patrick of LaPine; and Dusty and Angie VanderZanden of Forest Grove; ten great-grandchildren, Autumn, Breanne, Carmel, Daymon, Dallas, Chase, Mitchell, Tanner, Dillon and Toby; and numerous nieces and nephews.