John David Vanderhoof (1922 - 2013)

Born 27 May 1922 in Rocky Ford, Otero, Colorado, United States

Ancestors

Died 19 Sep 2013 at age 91 in Glenwood Springs, Garfield, Colorado, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Ron Norman [send private message]

Preceded by
John Arthur Love

37th Governor of Colorado
1973 - 1975

Succeeded by
Richard "Dick" Lamm

Biography

John Vanderhoof is Notable.

John David Vanderhoof was an American politician. A member of the Republican Party, Vanderhoof served as the 37th Governor of Colorado from 1973 to 1975, assuming the office from John Arthur Love, who was appointed to the National Energy Policy Office by President Richard Nixon. Vanderhoof served out the remainder of Love's term, but failed to win a term in his own right, being defeated by Democrat Richard Lamm in the 1974 election.

Governor Vanderhoof was born in Rocky Ford, Colorado to Roy E. and Irene Vanderhoof and spent the early years of his life in the Stove Prairie area west of Fort Collins. The Stove Prairie school only went through the eighth grade and the family moved to Fort Collins so John could continue his education at Fort Collins High School. Following high school, John attended Glendale College in California. Governor Vanderhoof enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and 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 Sporting 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 began. John helped start the Young Republican organization. Fellow club 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 Leader and Speaker of the House during this time in the house. In 1970, John was elected Lt. Governor of the State of Colorado. On July 16, 1973 he took the oath of office to become the 37th Governor of Colorado. Following his term as Governor, John relocated to Grand Junction, CO to become president of Club 20, an organization devoted to uniting the western slope in various aspects ranging from growth and finances to politics. ^[1]

John lived with his wife, Ruthie, in Grand Junction until her death in 2012. John and Ruthie had a very active lifestyle during their 35 years of marriage. They enjoyed hunting, fishing, river rafting, golfing, were avid sports fans and they traveled extensively throughout the world.

spouses:

1) Mary F. Junkin m. 21-Feb-1973

2) Neva Ruth "Ruthie" (August 1, 1928 – September 27, 2012)^[2]

children with Mary:

1. Bruce Vanderhoof (Susi) of Kansas City, MO
2. Linda Vanderhoof of Denver
3. Cheryln
4. Chris

Sources

1. ↑ John's Obituary
2. ↑ Neva Ruth's Obituary

See also:

• Wikipedia:John_D._Vanderhoof
• Former Gov John Vanderhoof on nga
• http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24159813/former-colorado-gov-john-vanderhoof-dead-at-91
• http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gjsentinel/obituary.aspx?pid=167144774

• 1,348 articles