Events

The VanderLeek Cup Hospice Regatta

Paul VanderLeek took great pleasure in sailing and meeting fellow sailors. He was a man who loved life, was full of faith, and made every minute count. He was a gifted architect and community leader. Paul served as Commodore of the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club in 1981. He & his family spent most summers sailing and racing on Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa. They were active members of Macatawa Bay Yacht Club for many years. They spent many weekends on their sailboat at the yacht  club.                                            

Paul served as President of KSV Architects, a 30 year old firm in Holland, until they merged with Progressive, based in Grand Rapids, in 1985. He became President of Progressive Architecture Engineering Planning in 1989. He received several awards for his projects including Holland's US Post Office, Grand Haven's Coast Guard Station, and Christ Memorial Church, also in Holland. Paul also worked on Old Kent Bank's (now Fifth/Third Bank) downtown restoration, United Methodist and Trinity Reformed Church, the library at Hope College, and Western Theological Seminary, all in Holland.

Aside from his professional involvement, Paul was a big believer in giving back to the community. He served on several boards including Holland Area Chamber of Commerce, Good Samaritan Ministries, and Leadership Holland. He was an active member of Rotary Club, Holland Chorale, Christ Memorial Church choir, Lakeshore Link, and was a Laketown Township Planning Commissioner.

Paul was a family man. He and his wife, Joyce, raised three daughters, Judy Johnson, Brenda VanderLeek and Susan LaFontaine. His grandchildren are Heather, Elizabeth, Katie and Nick. Paul's wife, daughters and grandchildren all live in the greater Holland area.

Sadly, Paul's life ended all too soon. He passed away at age 57 due to complications from prostate cancer in December 1992. As it became clear that God was calling Paul home, Hospice of Holland was invited to be with Paul & his family to support them through Paul's end-of-life journey.

Paul shared the following poem at a meeting...it truly sums up his attitude toward life.

One day at time -
this is not enough
I do not look back and grieve over the past - for it is gone
And I am not troubled about the future -
for it has not yet come
I live in the present and try to make it so
beautiful that it will be worth remembering.