- Date Of Birth: November 15, 1942
- Date Of Death: June 7, 2018
- State: Michigan
Larry Lee VanderBeek, age 75, passed away suddenly June 7, 2018. Larry was born November 15, 1942 in Kalamazoo, the son of Nicholas and Mary (Hiscock) VanderBeek. He was a lifelong area resident and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Western Michigan University. During the Vietnam War he served in the U.S. Army from 1965-68. Larry has owned Stillwater’s Wine & Spirits since 2002 and thoroughly enjoyed the day to day operations of the business, especially chatting with all the customers.
Larry was a people person and never met a stranger. He was a joy to be around and loved to laugh. He was very good at falling asleep sitting up while watching TV or in the middle of a conversation. He was a generous man and loved spoiling his kids and grandkids with sugary treats (probably so he could sneak some). He made great friends throughout his life and though they may have lost touch he always remembered everyone with fondness. Larry always had an interesting fashion sense ranging from plaid suits in the 70s to his trademark Crocks of recent years (we’re pretty sure he never wore another shoe once he tried the crocks).
The most important part of Larry’s life was his family. On April 10, 1971 he was united in marriage to Patti (Pryor) VanderBeek, who survives. Also surviving are their two daughters and son-in-law’s Amalia (Jason) Julien and Kristina (Joe) Famolaro; ten grandchildren who adored their “Opa”: Sara, Bella, Mia, Lila, Anthony, Sean, Maxwell, Sophia, Eden and Eliana; mother Mary VanderBeek; brother Roger (Susie) VanderBeek; sister-in-law MaryJane (David) Hames and several nieces and nephews.
