Harold, 97, was born in Chicago to Gerrit G and Lena (Meyer) Vanderlee and raised with sisters Marjorie and Joyce in the Dutch immigrant community of Roseland on the south side. He attended Dutch Reformed parochial schools, graduating as valedictorian from Chicago Christian High School at age 16. He accepted a scholarship to Hope College in Holland, Michigan. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he volunteered and served in the Army Air Corps as a weather forecaster and air traffic controller for the Air Transport Command in Barrackpore, India.When WWII ended, he returned to Chicago and completed his education in mechanical engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology. His long career in the air conditioning business took him to Bridgeport, CT, Louisville, KY, New Jersey, and Tyler, Texas, where he worked until age 70. At General Electric, he played a key role in developing the heat pump and traveled to Japan as a consultant.He married Eileen Kunc in 1949 and together they raised a family in Tyler, Texas. Those years were filled with summer driving trips, Sunday school, family games and supper table lessons in physics and math. He provided his children with a nurturing home and a debt-free education.Later he sought a simpler life, enjoying bridge games, singing in a men’s chorus, working with the Gideons’ jail ministry and driving his little red pickup to visit his children, grandchildren, sister Joyce and niece Barbara. In 2000, while recovering from a stroke, Harold moved to Manor Park in Midland, where he made many friends and enjoyed daily workouts at the Wellness Center. He became an expert Wii bowler and joined the Fellowship Class at First Methodist Church. Harold loved children, focusing much of his philanthropy on children’s charities. He loved a good theological discussion and enjoyed engaging the army of chaplains who came to visit him at the Mabee Center. He loved baseball and apple pie with ice cream. He spent his last days laughing at videos of his great-grandsons.Harold was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, son-in-law Paul Schatzle and niece Margaret Beasley. Left to cherish his memory are his children Keith and Gail (Wesley Strain), grandchildren Kelli, Emily Schatzle, and Jeff Vanderlee (Miguel Mendoza), twin great-grandsons, nephew Gary Dering, niece Barbara DeJong, and many other family and friends. Harold’s family would like to thank the entire staff at Manor Park, Dr Robert Vogel and Hospice of Midland for compassionate care at the end, and Dr James Barnett who helped him turn “not very long” into 19 good years.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com. The family will receive visitors on Friday, August 9th 4:30 -6:30 PM in the Atrium/Chapel of the Barney Greathouse Building at Manor Park. Memorial Service is scheduled for 1 PM Saturday, August 10th at First Methodist Church in Midland.,
