By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
For more than 30 years, David Vander Kooi was a fixture in local government and politics, beginning with the Holland City Council from 1981 to 1985.
From there, Vander Kooi became an Ottawa County commissioner, serving on the county board from 1987 to 1996, and eventually chairing the board.
After that, Vander Kooi served 12 years on the Ottawa County Road Commission board, chairing that board on three separate occasions.
And that didn’t even come close to describing his lengthy record of service with a wide range of organizations around Ottawa County.
Vander Kooi, who most recently lived in Zeeland, died Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Holland Hospital. He was 85.
Born Nov. 1, 1940 to Albert and Anna Mae Vander Kooi, David Lee Vander Kooi worked in the office furniture industry, first at Haworth and later as sales manager at Trendway. He was a member of Calvary on 8th Church in Holland.
Vander Kooi represented Holland’s First Ward on the City Council for four years, during which time the city formed the authority that operated what was then Tulip City (now West Michigan Regional) Airport, purchased the Van Raalte Farm property and started the Evergreen Commons senior center.
As an Ottawa County commissioner, he played a role in starting up the county’s Parks Commission. Later as a road commissioner, Vander Kooi chaired the Southern Association of county road commissions and chaired the state road commission public relations committee.
In addition, Vander Kooi served more than 30 years on the board of the Ottawa County Fair, serving as board president in its 50th anniversary year.
Vander Kooi’s other civic and community roles included serving as president of the Holland Jaycees, Jaycee ambassador to the Central American country of Belize in 1976, serving on the Holland Harbor Lighthouse Historical Commission and serving as a leader with Boy Scout Troop 157 at Calvary on 8th Church.
Vander Kooi was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Kristi Lynn Vander Kooi and Charlene Ten Broek; and brothers-in-law, Lonnie Ten Broek and Terry Vande Water.
Vander Kooi is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bonnie; sons, Matthew (Rebecca) Vander Kooi and Gregg Vander Kooi, both of Holland; grandchildren, Anna (Nate) Schulz, Holly Vander Kooi and Megan Vander Kooi; great-grandchildren, Will Schulz and Maddy Schulz; sister, Janice (Ron) Mulder of Schoolcraft; in-laws, Nancy Vander Water of Zeeland, Fonda (Bill) Marlink of Hudsonville and Kenlyn (Mike) Moon of Ft. Collins, Colo.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 13 at Calvary on 8th Church, 995 E. 8th St., Holland, with Rev. Daniel Carter officiating. Burial was in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association and Hospice of Holland. Condolences may be left online at yntemafh.com.
Zeeland Record
For more than 30 years, David Vander Kooi was a fixture in local government and politics, beginning with the Holland City Council from 1981 to 1985.
From there, Vander Kooi became an Ottawa County commissioner, serving on the county board from 1987 to 1996, and eventually chairing the board.
After that, Vander Kooi served 12 years on the Ottawa County Road Commission board, chairing that board on three separate occasions.
And that didn’t even come close to describing his lengthy record of service with a wide range of organizations around Ottawa County.
Vander Kooi, who most recently lived in Zeeland, died Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Holland Hospital. He was 85.
Born Nov. 1, 1940 to Albert and Anna Mae Vander Kooi, David Lee Vander Kooi worked in the office furniture industry, first at Haworth and later as sales manager at Trendway. He was a member of Calvary on 8th Church in Holland.
Vander Kooi represented Holland’s First Ward on the City Council for four years, during which time the city formed the authority that operated what was then Tulip City (now West Michigan Regional) Airport, purchased the Van Raalte Farm property and started the Evergreen Commons senior center.
As an Ottawa County commissioner, he played a role in starting up the county’s Parks Commission. Later as a road commissioner, Vander Kooi chaired the Southern Association of county road commissions and chaired the state road commission public relations committee.
In addition, Vander Kooi served more than 30 years on the board of the Ottawa County Fair, serving as board president in its 50th anniversary year.
Vander Kooi’s other civic and community roles included serving as president of the Holland Jaycees, Jaycee ambassador to the Central American country of Belize in 1976, serving on the Holland Harbor Lighthouse Historical Commission and serving as a leader with Boy Scout Troop 157 at Calvary on 8th Church.
Vander Kooi was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Kristi Lynn Vander Kooi and Charlene Ten Broek; and brothers-in-law, Lonnie Ten Broek and Terry Vande Water.
Vander Kooi is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bonnie; sons, Matthew (Rebecca) Vander Kooi and Gregg Vander Kooi, both of Holland; grandchildren, Anna (Nate) Schulz, Holly Vander Kooi and Megan Vander Kooi; great-grandchildren, Will Schulz and Maddy Schulz; sister, Janice (Ron) Mulder of Schoolcraft; in-laws, Nancy Vander Water of Zeeland, Fonda (Bill) Marlink of Hudsonville and Kenlyn (Mike) Moon of Ft. Collins, Colo.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 13 at Calvary on 8th Church, 995 E. 8th St., Holland, with Rev. Daniel Carter officiating. Burial was in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association and Hospice of Holland. Condolences may be left online at yntemafh.com.
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