David Richard Van Vliet

RochesterThrough the life he lived each day, David Van Vliet exemplified what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord he lived to serve. His first love was God, his Heavenly Father. David would count the day that he became a Christian the best day of his life. For him, nothing was more important than giving glory to his Savior in all that he said and did. This was most evident in the care and devotion he demonstrated to his wife, Fay, and their three daughters. He loved nothing more than loving and serving them, helping to cultivate a rich family spiritual life. David then had the joy of watching his family tree blossom with children and grandchildren. Life will never be the same without David, but the impact he made on the world around him will last for generations to come. The 1950s were a vibrant time in our nation's history. Elvis Presley took the music world by storm, becoming a household name the world over, while televisions were part of our homes like never before. Rosa Parks set civil rights in motion, and by the time the decade was drawing to a close we celebrated both Alaska and Hawaii as our 49th and 50th states. Amidst this time of great transformation there was much to celebrate in the lives of a young couple from Lincoln, Nebraska, as they were blessed with the birth of a healthy baby boy on October 4, 1957, interestingly the same day Sputnik was launched, beginning the Space Race. David Richard was one of five children born to his parents, John and Myrna Jean (Johnson) Van Vliet, and he was raised in the family home alongside his siblings, Ed, Jim, Jean, and Ralph. In many ways David experienced an upbringing that was typical for the youth of his generation. He and his family loved traveling around in their RV and often camped for two weeks at a time in the northern regions of Minnesota. David loved to play cowboys and Indians - in fact he had a cowboy shirt that his mom couldn't make him take off. He enjoyed building and creating with his erector set and wooden blocks and took great care in keeping some of his favorite belongings to pass on to his children and grandchildren. David worked his way through the Boy Scout program and was just a few of badges short of becoming an Eagle Scout when his troop relocated. David had always wished that he had found a new troop through which to earn his last few badges. A strong and intelligent young man, David graduated from high school in Lincoln in 1975. Although he was offered a commission into the Naval Academy and dreamed of becoming a pilot, he turned down this high honor in order to attend Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL instead. David attended Moody for two years, but later transferred to Western Bible College where he graduated in 1980. Not to be forgotten during this time was David's blossoming love with the young woman of his dreams. Her name was Fay Persons, and they met his first day on campus at Colorado Christian College - formerly known as Western Bible College. Fay saw the new guy on campus looking a little down, and struck up a conversation with him. It turned out that he was just a little jet lagged upon returning from spending summer abroad in France! The two hit it off well, and by the time David graduated with honors from Western Bible College, he and Fay were engaged. With excitement for their life ahead, David and Fay married on June 13, 1981, at the St. Charles Bible Church in St. Charles, Minnesota. Together they welcomed three amazing daughters into their hearts and home: Ginger (1983), Emily (1984), and Anna (1986). In addition to being a husband and young father, David continued his studies and graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1987, which was one of the proudest moments of his life. Life in the Van Vliet home was always a bustle of activity. Christmas was an especially loved time of the year, filled with meaningful traditions. The family attended a Christmas Eve service, then enjoyed a delicious dinner together followed by the opening of one gift. On Christmas morning, David would read the story of Christ's birth and lead the family in prayer and a few carols. Even if the girls found it difficult to wait through these traditions before opening presents, it was the profound beauty of the Christmas story and the hope it holds that meant the most to David. Gifts were not neglected however as even those had a tradition as every year the girls opened one book, one toy, and one piece of clothing besides generous gifts given by David's parishioners to his daughters.As in all aspects of his life, David's work as a pastor was marked by the desire to glorify God and serve others. His first pastorate was in Broken Bow, Nebraska. While there, he not only got to follow the calling he so loved, he also got to work as a ranch hand, reveling in the manual labor and time in nature. Four years later, he accepted a pastorate position at Woodland Community Church in Westboro, Wisconsin. Two years into his time there, David was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. It was his declining health that led him to a career change, and he and his family moved to Rochester, Minnesota, where David worked as a Macintosh support specialist in the Mayo Clinic IT department. Although he changed careers, the pastor in him never left - he always focused on helping others. David trusted God through all of these changes and continued in uncomplaining service to others in spite of his health. All who knew David would agree that he was an extraordinary man to know and love. He lived an active lifestyle for as long as he was able, hunting, fishing, hiking, and pushing three small girls on the tire swing. On one occasion, he and Fay took a hike in the Rockies, and she was content to take a break while David wanted to keep on going. He left her on a rock and continued on, and, with his amazing sense of direction, he had no trouble coming back for her later much to Fay's amazement and relief. He was a nature lover in nearly every way, except when it came to rodents and cats - neither of which he particularly liked. With a deep love for Mac computers, his family nicknamed him the "Mac-evangelist." Independent, wise, strong, and courageous, David Van Vliet was a blessing to all who were within his reach. Even to his final day on earth, he sought to serve and not be served. It was the glory of God and the service of others that defined his very existence. David lived a life of purpose and will be deeply missed and forever treasured by those who loved him. David Richard Van Vliet, of Rochester, died Thursday, June 26, 2014. David's family includes his wife, Fay; daughters, Ginger (Andy) Smith of Rochester, Emily Van Vliet of Inver Grove Heights and Anna (Mike) Scott of Honolulu, HI; two grandsons, Braedon Smith and Peter Scott; mother, Myrna Jean Van Vliet of Lincoln, NE; siblings, Edward (Mary) Van Vliet, Jim (Kathy) Van Vliet, Jean Van Vliet and Ralph (Tami) Van Vliet; and his in-laws, the Curtis and Marjorie Persons family of St. Charles. David was preceded in death by his father.A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Sunday, June 29 at Hoff Funeral Home in St. Charles. Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Monday at Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester with visitation one hour prior. Pastors Bill Price and Wes Ooms will officiate. A reception will follow with burial that afternoon in Hillside Cemetery in St. Charles. Please share a memory with David's family, view his video tribute, and read his complete life story at www.hofffuneral.com.Pallbearers are Andy Smith, Mike Scott, Jim Van Vliet, Ed Van Vliet, Ralph Van Vliet and Phil Arant.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/504271