SPOTLIGHT ON Julius Vande Voorde

Father of: Jerry, Bill, Dan, Diane, Kathleen, Marcia, Mary & Julie.

          Photo Art by Bill Vande Voorde

Submitted by Kathleen Vande Voorde Thomas

I, As a Graduate of the Class of ’67, do hereby nominate…..

Not all “Hall of Famers” ran the yards of a football field, a basketball court, a baseball diamond, or even a track!  In fact I know one” Alleman Hall of Famer” who  never even attended a class at Alleman let alone walked across the Alleman stage to receive a diploma.  This man, in my opinion, (and probably that of seven others I know pretty closely), contributed to the integrity, the academics, the faith, the success, and every other aspect that makes Alleman High School the incredible institution that it is.  He gave many incredible gifts pertaining to his faith, and love of education. Van made sure our gift was the opportunity to receive from Alleman an outstanding education, as well as a spiritual, moral, and physical compass that we, as young people, needed during very tenuous years of our life.  And it was not limited to his descendants. He offered that same spiritual and moral compass to every one of our friends who came through our door.  And our door was always open to everyone. Van was an example of strong moral, spiritual, and ethical courage. He lived what He believed.

He devoted his life to his family’s faith, education, moral values, physical fitness, challenges, self esteem, honesty, respect, as well as an endless sky full of other traits.  And he accomplished this for his eight children without “missing a beat” in his intensely loving relationship with his wife. Rose.

Dad didn’t have time to participate in Parent groups.  He worked strange, long hours as a pilot for Deere & Co., as well as running a small side business for our “further education fund”. Besides navigating the skies, he taxied numerous miles providing our transportation from home, in East Moline, to reap the benefits of Alleman’s activities. Dad shared in our recreation, and fed us, and our friends, on his enthusiasm for life, nature, creatures, and the binding of people around the world under one Creator.

Our bedtime stories came from National Geographic magazine!  Our picture book was an Atlas of the world.  Our world revolved around the amazement of the sky and the power of flight! As well as his stories of the native people of India he met as a veteran pilot of WWII.

I received my first Theology lesson as a child. Dad & I went flying in a small aircraft.  Opening the window, I was invited to reach out and touch a cloud!   As my small hand passed through the clouds, there was the exhilaration of the cool, moisture but nothing I could grasp.  Dad and I talked, on my young level, about how God’s presence could be felt but not grasped in my hands. That, he explained, took Faith. I began to understand my dad’s love of soaring through the sky.  It brings one closer to God. 

What does all of this have to do with putting my dad in Alleman’s spotlight? Dad believed that Alleman would reinforce all of the beliefs and teachings that he held so close to his heart. He also knew we would reap the benefits of a disciplined lifestyle that would prepare us for our future. Dad believed, when we completed our journey at Alleman, laying the groundwork for our further education and careers, but would also walk with the Christian faith that it takes to meet life with strength.

For many of us, he was Dad, Hero, and Best friend.  He stirred in us a thirst for knowledge at every turn of life. So for his children and their descendants the opportunities were opened to become: Aviators, Teachers, Electricians, Draftsmen, Ministers, X-ray Technicians, mothers, fathers and Business Owners in addition to being moral minded Christians trying to live the lessons that Dad & Alleman taught us. We have attempted to raise our families with many of the same traditions and encouragements which we received from our dad and Alleman.

Upon his death in October of 2005 at the age of 91, the line at his visitation stretched out into the streets as we heard story after story from people whose lives my father had touched as he walked his road in life.  Following Dad’s funeral mass, we stepped from the church as over head

Pilots flew, with honor, a “Missing Man formation” of WWII jet fighters. Those of us gathered on the street below, cried and laughed simultaneously. And goose bumps were raised by all!

Later, through my brother Bill’s eyes, we were able to visualize dad tipping his hat to us and  the pilots flying the formation through his Photo art. 

Upon both my mother’s death in 2003 and dad’s in 2005, memorial funds were designated by my parent’s own request, to insure that Alleman would continue to exist for their grandchildren’s generation (who were still at Alleman),  but for their great grandchildren’s generation, and all others to come.

So although there may never be a trophy or a plaque in Alleman’s Hall of Fame.  As For me and mine and many friends, we will know Dad has created memories within the community through his love and personal support and sacrifice for the hallowed halls of Alleman High School.

Thank you, Dad. We love you.