Willem J. VanderHooven

Willem J. VanderHooven was born July 30, 1944 to John and Irene VanderHooven in Lakewood, Ohio. He died at his home in Denver on June 10, 2016. In the early years of his life his family was located in Brinkhaven, Ohio. They moved to Maumee, Ohio where he later was graduated from Maumee High School in 1962. He completed two years of college in Houston, TX. Willem was in the U.S. Army from August 1965 to May 1967 and served in the Headquarters of the 222 Aviation Battalion in Vung Tau, Viet Nam. Following his service in the Army, Willem worked for his father's firm and then The Andersons in Maumee, Ohio. During this time Willem traveled to Europe on many occasions in sales of agricultural products. In the late 1970's and early 1980's Willem's interests turned to design, artistic endeavors and antiques. In 1982 he met his future spouse, Michael Price. They were married in Las Vegas, New Mexico in 2014. Previously they had a Civil Union in Denver, Colorado in 2013 and prior to the Civil Union they had a Certificate of Committed Partnership with the City and County of Denver in 2000. In 1987 Willem and Mike moved to Denver, Colorado. They bought ""the Needleworker"" in Cherry Creek North on Columbine St. Willem managed the business there for several years then moved to ""Old South Pearl St."" business area. Willem designed and painted needlepoint canvasses for clients to stitch. Examples are portraits of pets, cushions, wall hangings and chair seats. He consulted with clients on color décor for various projects in homes and other venues. The business was closed in 2007 and Willem retired. Willem was a voracious reader and was characterized by one of his nephew's as ""the most widely read person he has known"". With his family background in Cleveland, Ohio and the fact his father immigrated from The Netherlands, Willem exhibited an extreme awareness of cultural boundaries and was constantly respectful of differences. He was a man of extra ordinary intelligence and wit. He had a strong empathy for others. People who came in contact with Willem usually found in him a friend. A memorial celebration of Willem's life will be held 11am Saturday July 30 at Alamo Placita Park on Emerson Street between 2nd & 3rd Avenue in Denver. For those who wish to participate, a memorial gift may be made to Colorado Public Radio by calling 303-871-9191 or logging onto the CPR web site at CPR.ORG.