Person:Walter Van Dien (1)

Walter Fletcher Van Dien was a carpenter. Marjorie's parents were Theodore Farrand and Ida Hunter. Marjorie came from a wealthy family. There is a Ferrand Hall named for her family at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.

From Mary Helen Van Dien

Walt passed away on Feb 19 1994 while we were in Florida for the winter. During the years that we spent time in Florida (in Sarasota-Bradenton area) we saw Millard and Leona (Van Dien relatives] several times. We also saw Malcolm and his wife.

Walt worked for the MI Dept of Natural Resources as a Research Biologist and as an Education Consultant. Retired in Dec 1971. He taught Life Science in Kinawa Middle School in Okemos, MI. Retired in June 1983.

Obituary

Passed away February 19, 1994 in Bradenton, Fl. He was born in New York City September 17, 1913, the son of Walter and Marjorie Van Dien, and grew up in Warwick, NY. Mr. Van Dien was a graduate of Cornell University, where he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. After serving as an Officer in the Army Signal Corps during World War II, he earned a Masters Degree at Michigan State University. Professional experience included work with the NY State Conservation Dept, the International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission in British Columbia, and the Michigan DNR as Superintendent of the State Game Farm near Mason, as a Game Biologist, and as an Education Consultant. He taught classes for Central and Eastern Michigan Universities and was a Life Science Teacher at Kinawa Middle School in Okemos. Mr. Van Dien was a member of Okemos Community Church, where he served as an Usher for many years. He was a past President of the Okemos Kiwanis Club, past President of Okemos Central School PTA, a member of the DNR Retirees Association, of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, and of several professional organizations. The National Conservation Education Assoc. presented him with the Key Man Award at the annual meeting at the University of Nebraska in 1972 for "meritorious service and dedicated leadership in the field of conservation and environmental education." He was first Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors of that organization. The Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan awarded Mr. Van Dien an honorary membership in 1969. In 1970 he was given the Certificate of Merit Award by the Michigan Chapter of the Soil Conservation Society of America. That same year he was given an honorary membership in the Michigan Assoc. of Teachers of Vocational Agriculture. Survivors include his wife, Mary Helen; son Charles (Sue) of Lansing; brother, Garrett of Florida; brother-in-law, Charles (Patricia) Driver of Lansing; sister-in-law, Charlotte (William) Der Garry of Texas; and several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at Okemos Community Church on Saturday, March 12, at 11 am. Gifts in memory of Mr. Van Dien may be made to Ingham Medical Center or to Okemos Community Church.

Walter was one of the nicest men anyone could meet. His funeral was well attended - people stood in the aisles and at the back of the church.

Walt was born the same year Henry Ford opened his new auto plant - the first to use the assembly line.