In Memory

Rein VanderZee, Jr. - Class Of 1972

DECEASED ALUM - Rein VanderZee, FHHS '72                     

Class of '72 graduate, Rein VanderZee passed away in early February of this year.  I have heard from several sources that he passed, but I do not have any details about his life or his passing, nor is anything posted on the internet.  Rein was registered on the FHHS Alumni website with a San Antonio, Texas address.  He was also active on the site, having logged-on just a few days before his passing and had been in contact with other Federals.

If any Federals have information about Rein, please contact me through the website or feel free to post comments to this page. I remember Rein from the hallways of Fort Hunt and he was quite a presence then.  Certainly we should have a better tribute to him on our website than name, place and approximate date of passing.  Thanks.

Deceased Alum: Rein John Vanderzee 1972
Date Of Birth:
Date Deceased: 2018
Age at Death:
Cause of Death:
Alum City:
Alum State:
Alum Country: USA
Survived By

- Joe Gililland, FHHS '73

 

The following information was supplied by Ed Grant, FHHS '72. Our thanks to Ed.

July 3, 1954 - February 11, 2018

Rein John Vander Zee Jr. passed away on February 11, 2018. Rein was born to Diana and Rein Vander Zee in Camden, New Jersey on July 3rd, 1954. Rein attended Fort Hunt High School in Alexandria, VA. Rein enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and began his flight training at USCG Air Station Mobile, AL in their Shipboard Helicopter Operation Division as an Aviation Survivalman. Rein was trained in operational, search and rescue missions. With an honorable discharge, Rein attended Trinity University, San Antonio, TX. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Broadcasting and Film. Rein attended the Williamson Alderson Professional Theatre Conservatory in New York City for graduate studies in Acting. In his retirement, Rein taught for the San Antonio North East Independent School District. "Life will never be the same without your genius, your sense of humor and your compassion."

Services
A mass will be celebrated Monday, March 12, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church in San Antonio. Eulogy at 9:50 a.m. by sister Lea Grisemer. Interment will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. Please consider making a donation to Disabled American Veterans at DAV.org.
 

Published by San Antonio Express-News on Mar. 4, 2018

 

 

 

 


 
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03/20/18 03:18 PM #1    

Monte Cohen (1972)

Joe, I wanted to post a note on Rein's passing.  His Facebook page had been turned into a memorial to his life is where I posted this but there may be some of his friends and classmates who were not necessarily friends with him on Facebook.  I wholeheartedly agree with you that he deserves more than just his name and a date on the FFHS Alumni page.

Monte 

It was with great sadness that I heard the NEWS. Ironically the same wondrous thing that reunited us after many years now serves to tears us apart as it dispatched Rein's passing. I was one of Rein’s friends growing up. Down the street and around the corner in a time when there was not a care in the world and the wind felt light.

Many times we wait until a friend has died to tell the world what a wonderful person they were, and I’m as guilty as the next person. My only regrets are I wish we could have shared more laughs, I wish we could have shared more experiences. We ask why does things like this happen to good people, it is a question without an answer and we should not dwell on the loss of our dear friend, but celebrate his life and remember all of the remarkable things Rein accomplished and how wonderful his life was.

Someone once said "Time is perhaps our most precious commodity, and once it passes, it is lost forever" Saying Rein will be missed is an understatement, but for all those that love you, you will not be forgotten.

"We go to the grave of a friend saying, "A man is dead," but angels throng about him saying, "A man is born." 
Henry Ward Beecher

 

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03/20/18 04:08 PM #2    

Joe Gililland (1973)

Monte - thanks for passing that along.  Very poetic words.  I'll look for Rein's Facebook page and see what's being said.  Thanks again.

08/24/19 09:29 PM #3    

Judy Neff (Mullen) (1968)

There is a lovely life tribute page for him through the Mission Parks Funeral home in San Antonio.

08/26/19 10:36 AM #4    

Joe Gililland (1973)

Obituary for Rein John Vander Zee Jr.

Rein John Vander Zee Jr. passed away on February 11, 2018. Rein was born to Diana and Rein Vander Zee in Camden, New Jersey on July 3rd, 1954. He is survived by his loving mother, Diana Vander Zee, sister, Lea Grisemer and spouse, Rian Grisemer and nieces, Hannah and Julia Grisemer. Rein is preceded in death by his father Rein John Vander Zee Sr. The world is a better place for Rein Vander Zee Jr. having been here for 64 years. Rein was an attentive and loving son, brother, uncle and dear friend. Rein was very proud of his family especially his two nieces, Hannah and Julia Grisemer.

Rein attended Ft. Hunt High School in Alexandria, VA. Upon graduation from high school Rein enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and began his flight training at USCG Air Station Mobile, AL in their Shipboard Helicopter Operation Division as an Aviation Survivalman. As a USCG Aviator, Rein was trained in operational, search and rescue missions. Rein was deployed to the Antarctica/Artic aboard the USCG Icebreakers "Northwind" and "Burton Island" during Operation "Deepfreeze." Returning from Antarctica he embarked upon scientific and peacekeeping missions in the Southern Hemisphere. Rein's years of military service although dangerous were some of the best years of his life. He was very proud to have served his country.

After discharge from the military Rein attended Trinity University, San Antonio, TX like his mother and father and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Broadcasting and Film. Rein then attended the Williamson Alderson Private Professional Theatre Conservatory in New York City for graduate studies in Acting-his lifelong dream. His acting career afforded him parts in film, television and New York City theatres.

In his retirement, Rein was a teacher for the San Antonio North East Independent School District. His favorite pastime was the study of Ancient, World and American History.

Quote from a dear friend Candis, "Life will never be the same without your genius, your sense of humor and your compassion".

A mass will be celebrated in Rein’s honor Monday, March 12, 2018 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3907 Harry Wurzbach, San Antonio, TX 78209. Beginning at 9:50 a.m. sister Lea Grisemer will share a eulogy of her brother Rein. Interment will follow the mass at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Disabled American Veterans at DAV.org.

08/26/19 10:46 AM #5    

Joe Gililland (1973)

My cousin Rein John and I grew up experiencing life like few others have. Too infrequent vacations over the years of our youth always centered around meeting at our grandma Ruge's riverfront home in Bandera, Texas.

It was Huck Finn, with catfishing, beer drinking, swimming holes, skipping rocks, sunburns, water moccasins, shooting guns, long naps, laughs way into the night, riding bikes, driving golf carts, trying to grow up, and becoming men who would follow in our fathers and uncles footsteps. Men who we greatly admired, and Rein would always place them in a position of honor, respect, and occasional awe. We grew up well.

Later, in our twenties, we found time to hang together in San Antonio...two young men exploring the town, the ladies, amd the life of the 1980's. Rein had extraordinary common courtesy...he was respectful, but also candid when things weren't quite right.

I loved our times together, along with his beautiful sister Lea....they went by all too fast. And what are left now are the memories that make me smile. Rein was successful in theater, movies, and television. His role in the "Noises Off" stage production was exceptional. I recall the pure physical energy to pull that off, coupled with over the top humor, that made it one of the best date nights with my wife Sarah that I ever had.

Rein was authentic. He sought out and found the core truth of a thing, and celebrated that reduction with insight and wit. I loved our conversations on a never dull wide range of topics. He found his way to the Cross, too, and Max Weltens was instrumental in that moment. Rein served all of us in the Coast Guard, and recalled fondly with me some of his missions to the remotest parts of the earth.

He experienced life. He had his struggles, too. Don't we all. But he made his way through them, and navigated his life to a place where he was proactive and engaged in reaching out to all of his family members and connecting with us beautifully. I regret not being more engaged with him...the selfish pursuits of time and career often trumping times we could have enjoyed together. His time is now in eternity. It's his time now.

He was a friend, a confidant, a buddy when I needed one, and a keeper of the Vander Zee DNA and standards of manhood. He honored us all with his life, and I am the better person for having had him in mine. I love you Rein John. Rest now, my family member, my friend in the faith, my compadre on the town. We will roll again someday.

Dirk Vander Zee - February 25, 2018 at 04:01 PM

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