Stanley Vander Aarde ’53
Stanley Vander Aarde ’53, age 85, of Orange City, passed away on Saturday, November 19, 2016, at the Orange City Area Health System.
Stanley Bernard was born on September 26, 1931, in Orange City, the son of Bernard John and Christina (Luchtenburg) Vander Aarde. He attended the public school and the Northwestern Academy and Junior College, all in Orange City. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, Illinois. He served his internship at the Cook County Hospital, also in Chicago.
On June 19, 1956, he married A. Darlene De Beer at the First Reformed Church. He served two years in the United States Air Force. From 1961 to June of 1966, Dr. and Mrs. Vander Aarde were missionaries with the Reformed Church of America. He was in general practice at the Mary Lott Lyles Hospital in Madanapalle, India. He then returned to Chicago, where he completed his otolaryngology residency in June of 1970 at the Northwestern University Medical School. In January of 1971, they returned to Madanapalle, where he practiced otolaryngology.
While in India, he was Director of the Union Mission Tuberculosis Sanatorium and Medical Superintendent of the Mary Lott Lyles Hospital. On July 1, 1987, he joined the staff at the Willmar, Minnesota, Medical Center. In 1994, they retired to Orange City. He was a lifetime member of the First Reformed Church. Professionally, Stanley also belonged to the American Medical Association, American Academy of Otolaryngology, Indian Association of Otolaryngology, Christian Medical Association of India, Christian Medical Society, and American College of Surgeons. He served as chairman of the KodaiKanal International School in India and was a member of a Rotary Club in India.
Locally, he was a member of the Sioux County Historical Society, Ramblers, Dutch Heritage Boosters, Lions Club, and Pressman-Kosters American Legion Post, all in Orange City. Dr. Vander Aarde enjoyed reading and studying medical journals and archeology literature, especially Biblical archeology, keeping a diary, and stamp collecting.
Survivors include his wife of more than sixty years, Agnes Darlene De Beer ’56 Vander Aarde; four children and their spouses, Paul and Susan Vander Aarde, of Martinsburg, West Virginia; David and Erin Vander Aarde, of Vancouver, Washington; Debra and David Scott, of Glendale, Arizona; and Mary and Kurt Kenobbie, of Phoenix, Arizona; nine grandchildren, Stronz (Kate), Keaton, Caleb, and Drew Vander Ploeg; Lauren Vander Aarde; Miles and Grahm Kenobbie; and Emma and Linnea Vander Aarde; a great-grandson, Anderson Rook; and a brother and his wife, The Rev. Robert (Marjorie) Vander Aarde ’58, of Great Falls, Montana.
Stan is also survived by members of Darlene’s family, Lois De Beer, David Van Peursem, Kermit and Marilyn Hoffs, Jack and Ruth Wilson, Laura Peuse, and John and Mona De Beer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Leon Bruce Vander Aarde; and members of his wife’s family, Fred De Beer, Peter De Beer, Minerva Van Peursem, and Duane Peuse.
oyears, Agnes Darlene De Beer ’56 Vander Aarde; children, Paul (Susan) Vander Aarde, David (Erin) Vander Aarde, Debra (David) Schott and Mary (Kurt) Kenobbie; nine grandchildren; one great-grandson; brother Robert (Marjorie) Vander Aarde ’58; and in-laws, Lois De Beer, David Van Peursem, Kermit (Marilyn) Hoffs, Jack (Ruth) Wilson, Laura Peuse and John (Mona) De Beer.