Clinton B. VanDerKolk

Clinton “Doc” B. VanDerKolk, age 90 of Richland, MI, died on April 18, 2024. He was born on June 3, 1933, in Grand Rapids, the son of Bert and Esther (Easley) VanDerKolk. Doc graduated from Hopkins High School. He attended Michigan State University and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Western Michigan University. He served in the U.S. Army.

Doc met Judy Van Dalson one day at Bayview Gardens on Gull Lake. After returning from service with the Army in February, Judy and Doc were married on August 9, 1963. They relocated to Chicago so Doc could take a job with Ford. After the birth of their sons, they moved their family back to the Richland area when Doc and Judy joined her father, Jack, at Metzger's Heating and Air Conditioning. After retiring, Judy and Doc toured the country by Motorhome, eventually settling down in Arizona as snowbirds before declining health necessitated a move back to Richland.

He was a member and Vice President of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America and was President of the Michigan Chapter of ACCA. Doc was a lifelong and avid fan of auto racing especially Indy Car and NASCAR. Doc was also an enthusiastic golfer never missing a chance to play.

Doc was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife Judy.

Surviving are his sons, John (Jennifer) VanDerKolk of Appleton, WI, and Paul VanDerKolk of Richland, MI; grandsons: Peter, Andrew, and John VanDerKolk; brother Henry (Pat) VanDerKolk M.D. and nieces and nephews.

Friends may visit with Doc’s family on Friday, April 26th from 5:00-7:00 PM at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 622 S Burdick St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, April 27th at 10:00 AM. A private burial will take place in Poplar Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Kalamazoo Humane Society. To view Doc's personalized web page, please visit https://www.langelands.com