In Memoriam Edward Vandenberg

Retired attorney Edward L. Vandenberg Jr., a longtime member of the Washtenaw County Bar Association, died Jan. 18 in Nashville, Tenn., at the age of 95.

The Grand Rapids native attended Calvin College for two years. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific.

In 1945 he moved to Ann Arbor where he earned his BA in economics and MBA from the University of Michigan, and his JD from U of M Law School.

After winning a Fulbright Scholarship in international law, Vandenberg and his wife Vicki lived in Germany for a year.

Returning to Ann Arbor, he had a private law practice specializing in probate, real estate, and tax law. He also worked with U of M’s Bureau of Business Research and taught Probate and Estate Planning classes for U of M staff.

During the 70s, he was appointed Grievance Officer (ombudsman) for the City of Ann Arbor; and also helped older and low-income citizens deal with the complexities of the legal system. He served as president of both the Senior Citizens Guild of Ann Arbor and the Washtenaw Legal Aid Society.

He worked with the Ecumenical Campus Center and the Council on Religious Affairs at the U of M, serving as president of each. He helped establish the Copernicus Endowment for Polish Studies at the U of M and served as Project Director.

A celebration of Vandenberg’s life will be held in Ann Arbor in the spring. Memorial gifts may be made to International Rescue Committee at P.O. Box 6068, Albert Lea, MN 56007 or to University of Michigan Copernicus Fund # 301148, 3003 S. State St, Suite 8000, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Please have acknowledgment made to Benita Kaimowitz, 4215 Harding Pike #501, Nashville TN 37205.
Marshall Donnelly Combs Nashville, TN.