Leader

3 out my 4 sibs and me...

This past week we celebrated my dad's retirement from the Kent County Aeronautics Board where he has served for the past 36 years.  The past 13 years he served as Chairman and 11 years before that as Vice-Chairman.  This has been a big part of my dad's life, and it was really neat to be able to commemorate his service and hear what other people had to say about him.  Leader, full of integrity, dedicated...those types of words came up again and again.  I know all those things about my dad and what an amazing man he is, but it's kind of like going to school conferences and hearing the teacher go on about how much they love your kid, you don't ever get sick of hearing it!

I didn't know until last week that my dad was the first one to land a plane at the Kent County Airport dedication in 1963.  He flew in some dignitaries including Mayor Sonneveldt of Grand Rapids.  The propeller of the plane was what cut the ribbon.

My dad was elected to the board in January of 1975 and saw the number of passengers grow from about 500,000 to 2.4 million each year.  As Chairman he helped lead the airport through many new projects and expansions.  Among these were the the building of the new north/south runway, replacement of the other runways, building of a complete new infrastructure, construction of a parking garage, maintenance building, new rental car facilities, and a perimeter road as well as the development of the east side of the field which now includes the Fed Ex building and others.  All of this was done without tax payer money and while still remaining competitive with rates.  What an accomplishment!  
 
So, if you're ever in the vicinity of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, you may want to look up Van Laar Drive and take a drive or a stroll down that road.  There's not many people who deserve getting a road named after them, but this one is fully earned.  So proud of you, dad!