Alfred Richard Vander Ploeg

Alfred Richard "Van" Vander Ploeg, a resident at Rogue Valley Manor in Medford, Oregon since 1998, was born in Pella, Iowa November 5, 1915, son of Dirk and Gertrude (Van Honweling) Vander Ploeg. He passed away in Medford July 26, 2013. He graduated from Central College, Pella, Iowa, in 1939 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and from Iowa State University, Ames Iowa in 1940 with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering.
He married Gladys S. Hyink June 10, 1941 who preceded him in death August 19, 1995. On March 17, 2001, he married Lois Naylor Kent. Van Vander Ploeg was a chemical engineer employed by Texaco for 39 years from graduation in 1941 until his retirement in 1980. He served Texaco, Inc, in the research and technical department at Port Arthur, Texas and at Beacon, New York. Retiring as Director of Research. He held several patents in petroleum processing.
He was a life member of the American Chemical Society and served as chairman of the petroleum division in 1975-76. He served many years on the Board of Trustees of Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie NY., and was president in 1975-76. He was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Fishkill, NY. for many years, where he sang in the choir and served on numerous committees. He also served as Elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Port Arthur, Texas, and more recently as Elder for the First Presbyterian Church in Medford, Ore.
He is survived by his wife, Lois; son, Richard W. Vander Ploeg, of Reno, Nev; granddaughters, Dr. Kristin V. Berger and Molly Francine Berger, both Denver, Colo. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Edward; two sisters, Bessie Boeynik and Antoinette Vander Ploeg; son Charles Henry; and a granddaughter; Alison Lynne Vander Ploeg.
A graveside memorial service will be held at the Fishkill Rural Cemetery in Fishkill, NY August 18, 2013 where he will be interred in the Vander Ploeg Family Plot.