The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, 27 March 27, 2008
DeRUYTER, Vernon, 63, geologist, March 24, Desert Sunset.
~~~~~~~~~
The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, 28 March 28, 2008
Vernon D. DeRuyter, Age 63, of Tucson, AZ passed away March 24, 2008 at his home, surrounded by his wife, Dorothy; son, Eric; daughter, Sara; and brother-in-law, Albert Johnson. He had given a valiant fight against colon cancer for seven years. His doctors felt his additional time on earth was due to his spirit and passion for life.
Vernon was born to Willard and Rhoda DeRuyter on July 3, 1944. He grew up on a farm near Sunburg, MN. His early years of education were in a one room country school a short hike from his home. He spoke of that as one of the highlights of his life. He graduated from Kerkhoven, MN High School in 1962 as the class valedictorian. He received his B.S. in geology from the University of MN.
The day of graduation he left for Tucson, AZ to begin his studies at the University of AZ where he received a Master's in Economic Geology. His passion was mineral exploration. He worked for Hannah Mining in northern MN as an iron geologist; in Tennessee exploring for lead and zinc. In 1979 he and his family returned to Tucson. His work for SEA was leading teams of explorations in search of gold, silver, copper and uranium. Quintana Minerals sent him to CO in search of oil shale and to WA for copper. Mallon Minerals of Denver, CO and Phelps Dodge sent him to Costa Rica for three years to supervise a gold mine and lead groups of geologists in exploration. In Costa Rica he became fluent in Spanish. That was essential when Magma Mining Co. named him manager of exploration in Mexico.
Wherever he worked he took an interest in the people, culture, and language. He was an exemplary leader gaining much respect and admiration Vernon always felt guilty getting paid for doing work he enjoyed so much. In 1993 Vernon and Dorothy moved back to Tucson with future thoughts of retiring in the city they loved.
When copper prices dropped he became a "Pond Man", building and maintaining ponds for his clients. His biggest pond was built outside his front door and is stocked with crappies, bass, sunfish, and by mistake catfish. He loved to watch friends and family enjoy the pond and the wildlife that visited it.
Vernon was at his best talking geology and being involved in exploration. Recently, after being given 24 to 72 hours to live the doctors found him watching a slide show on the hospital room walls. He was eagerly watching the PHD dissertation of a geology friend. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by four brothers, Will Steve, Al, and Dan; and a sister, Ann. He leaves his wife of 39 years and his children, Eric and Sara. He was a loving father to four exchange students, Sissel Lei of Norway, Chris and Olivier Mataguez of France, and Sanna Keller of Germany.
He was a surrogate grandfather to six Yacqui children for 14 years, Crystal, Daniel, Jesse, Juan, Gabriel, and Chris Escalante. He leaves many more family and friends to mourn his loss, but who will rejoice in the good memories he gave them.
His ashes will be spread at places he has lived and areas he aventured to.
He was so grateful to his team of doctors and nurses. A special thanks to Dr. S. Wilson, Dr. D. Pederson, Dr. Safder, Dr. Rebeil, and oncologist, G. Gonzales. He was so pleased with the many people who helped him continue to celebrate life through their visits, and calls to the very end. It was that love connection and their prayers that kept his spirit soaring.
There will be a "Celebration of Life" in MN and at a later date one at his Tucson home.
DeRUYTER, Vernon, 63, geologist, March 24, Desert Sunset.
~~~~~~~~~
The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, 28 March 28, 2008
Vernon D. DeRuyter, Age 63, of Tucson, AZ passed away March 24, 2008 at his home, surrounded by his wife, Dorothy; son, Eric; daughter, Sara; and brother-in-law, Albert Johnson. He had given a valiant fight against colon cancer for seven years. His doctors felt his additional time on earth was due to his spirit and passion for life.
Vernon was born to Willard and Rhoda DeRuyter on July 3, 1944. He grew up on a farm near Sunburg, MN. His early years of education were in a one room country school a short hike from his home. He spoke of that as one of the highlights of his life. He graduated from Kerkhoven, MN High School in 1962 as the class valedictorian. He received his B.S. in geology from the University of MN.
The day of graduation he left for Tucson, AZ to begin his studies at the University of AZ where he received a Master's in Economic Geology. His passion was mineral exploration. He worked for Hannah Mining in northern MN as an iron geologist; in Tennessee exploring for lead and zinc. In 1979 he and his family returned to Tucson. His work for SEA was leading teams of explorations in search of gold, silver, copper and uranium. Quintana Minerals sent him to CO in search of oil shale and to WA for copper. Mallon Minerals of Denver, CO and Phelps Dodge sent him to Costa Rica for three years to supervise a gold mine and lead groups of geologists in exploration. In Costa Rica he became fluent in Spanish. That was essential when Magma Mining Co. named him manager of exploration in Mexico.
Wherever he worked he took an interest in the people, culture, and language. He was an exemplary leader gaining much respect and admiration Vernon always felt guilty getting paid for doing work he enjoyed so much. In 1993 Vernon and Dorothy moved back to Tucson with future thoughts of retiring in the city they loved.
When copper prices dropped he became a "Pond Man", building and maintaining ponds for his clients. His biggest pond was built outside his front door and is stocked with crappies, bass, sunfish, and by mistake catfish. He loved to watch friends and family enjoy the pond and the wildlife that visited it.
Vernon was at his best talking geology and being involved in exploration. Recently, after being given 24 to 72 hours to live the doctors found him watching a slide show on the hospital room walls. He was eagerly watching the PHD dissertation of a geology friend. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by four brothers, Will Steve, Al, and Dan; and a sister, Ann. He leaves his wife of 39 years and his children, Eric and Sara. He was a loving father to four exchange students, Sissel Lei of Norway, Chris and Olivier Mataguez of France, and Sanna Keller of Germany.
He was a surrogate grandfather to six Yacqui children for 14 years, Crystal, Daniel, Jesse, Juan, Gabriel, and Chris Escalante. He leaves many more family and friends to mourn his loss, but who will rejoice in the good memories he gave them.
His ashes will be spread at places he has lived and areas he aventured to.
He was so grateful to his team of doctors and nurses. A special thanks to Dr. S. Wilson, Dr. D. Pederson, Dr. Safder, Dr. Rebeil, and oncologist, G. Gonzales. He was so pleased with the many people who helped him continue to celebrate life through their visits, and calls to the very end. It was that love connection and their prayers that kept his spirit soaring.
There will be a "Celebration of Life" in MN and at a later date one at his Tucson home.
The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, 27 March 27, 2008
DeRUYTER, Vernon, 63, geologist, March 24, Desert Sunset.
~~~~~~~~~
The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, 28 March 28, 2008
Vernon D. DeRuyter, Age 63, of Tucson, AZ passed away March 24, 2008 at his home, surrounded by his wife, Dorothy; son, Eric; daughter, Sara; and brother-in-law, Albert Johnson. He had given a valiant fight against colon cancer for seven years. His doctors felt his additional time on earth was due to his spirit and passion for life.
Vernon was born to Willard and Rhoda DeRuyter on July 3, 1944. He grew up on a farm near Sunburg, MN. His early years of education were in a one room country school a short hike from his home. He spoke of that as one of the highlights of his life. He graduated from Kerkhoven, MN High School in 1962 as the class valedictorian. He received his B.S. in geology from the University of MN.
The day of graduation he left for Tucson, AZ to begin his studies at the University of AZ where he received a Master's in Economic Geology. His passion was mineral exploration. He worked for Hannah Mining in northern MN as an iron geologist; in Tennessee exploring for lead and zinc. In 1979 he and his family returned to Tucson. His work for SEA was leading teams of explorations in search of gold, silver, copper and uranium. Quintana Minerals sent him to CO in search of oil shale and to WA for copper. Mallon Minerals of Denver, CO and Phelps Dodge sent him to Costa Rica for three years to supervise a gold mine and lead groups of geologists in exploration. In Costa Rica he became fluent in Spanish. That was essential when Magma Mining Co. named him manager of exploration in Mexico.
Wherever he worked he took an interest in the people, culture, and language. He was an exemplary leader gaining much respect and admiration Vernon always felt guilty getting paid for doing work he enjoyed so much. In 1993 Vernon and Dorothy moved back to Tucson with future thoughts of retiring in the city they loved.
When copper prices dropped he became a "Pond Man", building and maintaining ponds for his clients. His biggest pond was built outside his front door and is stocked with crappies, bass, sunfish, and by mistake catfish. He loved to watch friends and family enjoy the pond and the wildlife that visited it.
Vernon was at his best talking geology and being involved in exploration. Recently, after being given 24 to 72 hours to live the doctors found him watching a slide show on the hospital room walls. He was eagerly watching the PHD dissertation of a geology friend. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by four brothers, Will Steve, Al, and Dan; and a sister, Ann. He leaves his wife of 39 years and his children, Eric and Sara. He was a loving father to four exchange students, Sissel Lei of Norway, Chris and Olivier Mataguez of France, and Sanna Keller of Germany.
He was a surrogate grandfather to six Yacqui children for 14 years, Crystal, Daniel, Jesse, Juan, Gabriel, and Chris Escalante. He leaves many more family and friends to mourn his loss, but who will rejoice in the good memories he gave them.
His ashes will be spread at places he has lived and areas he aventured to.
He was so grateful to his team of doctors and nurses. A special thanks to Dr. S. Wilson, Dr. D. Pederson, Dr. Safder, Dr. Rebeil, and oncologist, G. Gonzales. He was so pleased with the many people who helped him continue to celebrate life through their visits, and calls to the very end. It was that love connection and their prayers that kept his spirit soaring.
There will be a "Celebration of Life" in MN and at a later date one at his Tucson home.
DeRUYTER, Vernon, 63, geologist, March 24, Desert Sunset.
~~~~~~~~~
The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, 28 March 28, 2008
Vernon D. DeRuyter, Age 63, of Tucson, AZ passed away March 24, 2008 at his home, surrounded by his wife, Dorothy; son, Eric; daughter, Sara; and brother-in-law, Albert Johnson. He had given a valiant fight against colon cancer for seven years. His doctors felt his additional time on earth was due to his spirit and passion for life.
Vernon was born to Willard and Rhoda DeRuyter on July 3, 1944. He grew up on a farm near Sunburg, MN. His early years of education were in a one room country school a short hike from his home. He spoke of that as one of the highlights of his life. He graduated from Kerkhoven, MN High School in 1962 as the class valedictorian. He received his B.S. in geology from the University of MN.
The day of graduation he left for Tucson, AZ to begin his studies at the University of AZ where he received a Master's in Economic Geology. His passion was mineral exploration. He worked for Hannah Mining in northern MN as an iron geologist; in Tennessee exploring for lead and zinc. In 1979 he and his family returned to Tucson. His work for SEA was leading teams of explorations in search of gold, silver, copper and uranium. Quintana Minerals sent him to CO in search of oil shale and to WA for copper. Mallon Minerals of Denver, CO and Phelps Dodge sent him to Costa Rica for three years to supervise a gold mine and lead groups of geologists in exploration. In Costa Rica he became fluent in Spanish. That was essential when Magma Mining Co. named him manager of exploration in Mexico.
Wherever he worked he took an interest in the people, culture, and language. He was an exemplary leader gaining much respect and admiration Vernon always felt guilty getting paid for doing work he enjoyed so much. In 1993 Vernon and Dorothy moved back to Tucson with future thoughts of retiring in the city they loved.
When copper prices dropped he became a "Pond Man", building and maintaining ponds for his clients. His biggest pond was built outside his front door and is stocked with crappies, bass, sunfish, and by mistake catfish. He loved to watch friends and family enjoy the pond and the wildlife that visited it.
Vernon was at his best talking geology and being involved in exploration. Recently, after being given 24 to 72 hours to live the doctors found him watching a slide show on the hospital room walls. He was eagerly watching the PHD dissertation of a geology friend. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by four brothers, Will Steve, Al, and Dan; and a sister, Ann. He leaves his wife of 39 years and his children, Eric and Sara. He was a loving father to four exchange students, Sissel Lei of Norway, Chris and Olivier Mataguez of France, and Sanna Keller of Germany.
He was a surrogate grandfather to six Yacqui children for 14 years, Crystal, Daniel, Jesse, Juan, Gabriel, and Chris Escalante. He leaves many more family and friends to mourn his loss, but who will rejoice in the good memories he gave them.
His ashes will be spread at places he has lived and areas he aventured to.
He was so grateful to his team of doctors and nurses. A special thanks to Dr. S. Wilson, Dr. D. Pederson, Dr. Safder, Dr. Rebeil, and oncologist, G. Gonzales. He was so pleased with the many people who helped him continue to celebrate life through their visits, and calls to the very end. It was that love connection and their prayers that kept his spirit soaring.
There will be a "Celebration of Life" in MN and at a later date one at his Tucson home.
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