David “Dave” Vandervoort, 89, of Paradise Valley, AZ & Alpine went to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on October 9 at his residence. He was born in Texas to Henry Carl Vandervoort Senior and Velma Vandervoort. At 14, he learned to fly a tail dragger and was a distinguished varsity Panther golfer at Paschal High who caddied for Ben Hogan at Colonial Country Club. In 1947, Dave earned the Carnegie Medal for Heroism with Katie Beth Hunter for rescuing the two Ledbetter children from a capsized rowboat at a Fort Worth farm lake. Later Dave met his wife, Susie, while attending Texas A&M University at College Station. They married in the late 50’s and upon Dave’s graduation from Texas A&M in the Corps, they moved with the United States Air Force.

Living for a couple of years with his wife Susie and sons at the Fort Worth ranch, Dave worked the advertising for Vandervoort’s Dairy under his father HCV Senior until he died in 1960. The next year Dave built a dairy and bottling plant in Tempe, Arizona.

Dave joined Paradise Valley Country Club and won many tournaments and trophies there, leading to many business arrangements and friends that distributed the milk and ice cream products throughout Phoenix and other parts of the state on top of his ice cream store in Phoenix.

Dave later met Ruth French and they wed in 2014. She has been at his side during his last years from that time.

Dave was a longtime pilot, outdoorsman, and spontaneous personality with almost anything. A longtime member of a weekly bible study group, various churches, and even a leader of Master’s Men in Scottsdale. He was a devout Christian man. He had numerous travels to mountainous places, beautiful ocean views, autumn leaf colors, and of course time in the air when he flew.

He was preceded in death by his father Henry Carl Vandervoort Senior, Velma Vandervoort, his brother Henry Carl Vandervoort Junior, Susie Vandervoort, and Mary Vandervoort.

He is survived by his wife Ruth, sons David(Susan), Gary(Rita), Glen, and Matthew(Vicky), granddaughters Kailey Vandervoort, and Stephanie (Nate) Heyenga, great granddaughter Lucy Heyenga, various cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Psalm 23 was requested by Dave to be read to him in his last days. In addition, a suggested verse of importance to him is Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well…”.

A celebration of life will be held on December 1, 10 a.m. at First Christian Church of Phoenix 6750 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ.