Ross Vander Meulen, age 87, died on April 25, 2023, at Seminary Manor, Galesburg, Illinois. He was born on November 13, 1935, in South Bend, Indiana, son of Allen Vander Meulen and Alice Connor Vander Meulen. He and his brother, Allen Jr., and sister, Eva, grew up in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago. He graduated from Fenger High School. He studied at the University of Hamburg in Germany, received a B.A. from Northwestern University, an M.A. in English Literature and M.A. and Ph.D in German Literature from the University of Michigan, where he also taught.
He married Helen Kay Brigham in 1960. He studied and taught at the University of Mainz. They returned to Ann Arbor, then moved to Galesburg, IL where he taught German & some Latin from 1968–2000 at Knox College, continuing to teach after his retirement. He chaired the Modern Language Department, served as the Associate Dean of the College, 1979–1983, won the Philip Green Wright award for Excellence in Teaching, was an active member in Phi Beta Kappa, served on many faculty committees and published several articles and a short story.
He was a caring, entertaining husband, father, and grandfather to his two children, Gwen (Kevin) Vander Meulen Currid, Palatine, Illinois, Keith (Martha) Vander Meulen, Chicago, and grandchildren, Matthew M. Currid, Rachel Valerielynn Currid, Hannah Shepherd Vander Meulen and Laura Brigham Vander Meulen. He loved golf, jogging, cycling, bridge, reading and traveling. He was an avid Chicago Bears and White Sox fan. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and brother. He is survived by his wife, his two children, their spouses, four grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The family expresses gratitude to friends, neighbors, and the staff of Seminary Manor and Beacon of Hope Hospice Care. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Memorial donations may be made to Knox College. Family services will be held at a later date. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
