John D Vanderhoof
Marriages
Ruthie
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 7 B Obituary - September 25, 2013
John D. Vanderhoof
May 27, 1922 – September 19, 2013
Former Governor John D. Vanderhoof, 91, passed away on September
19, 2013, following a short illness.
Governor Vanderhoof was born in Rocky Ford, Colorado to Roy E.
and Irene Vanderhoof and spent the early years of his life in t he
Stove Prairie area west of Fort Collins. The Stove Prairie scho ol
only went through the eighth grade and the family moved to Fort
Collins so John could continue his education at Fort Collins Hi gh
School. Following high school, John attended Glendale College i n
California. Governor Vanderhoof enlisted in the Navy in 1942 an d
graduated from the Navy Pilot training program in 1943. He flew
many fighter missions from the aircraft carrier, the USS Bunker
Hill. He was a part of the first wave of aircraft attacking Iwo Jima.
His aircraft was badly damaged by ground fire during a mission over
Legaspi Bay. He was able to return the carrier but the damage to the
aircraft made it impossible to land. He was ordered to bail out . His
leg was badly broken while leaving the aircraft. While convalescing
in California, he learned of the naval hospital in Glenwood Springs,
CO. His request for transfer to Glenwood Springs was granted. John
earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Navy Crosses and three
purple hearts for his accomplishments in the South Pacific.
He fell in love with the Glenwood area and convinced his family to
relocate in Glenwood, and with his father, opened Van’s Sportin g
Goods. The store was sold in 1956, and John was instrumental in
organizing both Glenwood Independent Bank and the Bank of
Glenwood.
It was in Glenwood Springs where John’s political career bega n.
John helped start the Young Republican organization. Fellow clu b
members encouraged John to run for the Colorado House of Representatives
in 1950. He won the seat and was active in the body for
the next 20 years. He served as Minority Leader, Majority Leade r
and Speaker of the House during this time in the house.
In 1970, John was elected Lt. Governor of the State of Colora do.
On July 16, 1973 he took the oath of office to become the 37th Governor
of Colorado. Following his term as Governor, John reloca ted
to Grand Junction, CO to become president of Club 20, an organization
devoted to uniting the western slope in various aspects ra nging
from growth and finances to politics.
John lived with his wife, Ruthie, in Grand Junction until her death
in 2012. John and Ruthie had a very active lifestyle during the ir 35
years of marriage. They enjoyed hunting, fishing, river rafting ,
golfing, were avid sports fans and they traveled extensively
throughout the world.
Governor Vanderhoof is survived by six children, Bruce Vander -
hoof (Susi) of Kansas City, MO; Linda Vanderhoof of Denver;
Tom Craig (Tammie) of Palisade; Cindy Epple (Harold) of Fruita;
Kathy La Plante (Willie) of Eckert, and Nancy Guccini of Cedaredge,
and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is
also survived by his sister, Jean Johnson of Fort Collins, and his
brother, Don (Eddi) of Glenwood Springs.
Governor Vanderhoof requested that a private family service b e
held
It is requested that any donations be made in his name to: Northern
Colorado Flood Relief, 242 Conifer St., Ft. Collins, CO 80524.
