Elwin "Van" C. Vanderland

Elwin Carl Vanderland, “Van”, went to be with the Lord on July 26, 2022. Van was born December 12, 1936 in Utica, NY. He was the son of Emery Sidney Vanderland and Alice Mary Jones Vanderland.

Van fell in love at first sight with Diane Kingsley and they married on June 21, 1958 at the West Center Church, Bronxville, NY. Van always stated that he only accomplished everything in his life thanks to the love and support of Diane.

He obtained his BA degree at the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio; his Masters of Divinity degree at the Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester Pennsylvania; Masters Degree at Long Island University; Doctorate of Ministry at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He was a student pastor for three mission churches outside of Marietta, OH, 1958-59 and Chanceford Presbyterian Church, Airville, PA 1960-62.

Van was ordained as a Presbyterian Minister in Utica, NY in May, 1962 and installed by the Presbytery of Binghamton as Pastor of the Broad Avenue United Presbyterian Church, Binghamton, NY in June,1962-64.

He was commissioned as a US Army Chaplain on active duty 1964, and retired in 1984 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was stationed at several postings in the US, including Fort Richardson, AK. Overseas he served at Bamburg and Wurzburg, Germany. He served two combat tours in Vietnam 1965-66 and 1969-70. Details of his time in Vietnam have been documented at The Vietnam Center & Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive at Texas Tech University, with the Elwin C. Vanderland Collection. This collection includes slides, photographs, and artifacts from his tours of duty in Vietnam as a Chaplain from 1965-1966 with the 62nd Engineer Battalion and 1969 to 1970 with the 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry 5th Infantry Division. While assigned at Ft Hood, TX he was instrumental with the design and installation of seven stained glass windows at the 1st Cavalry Memorial Chapel, which symbolizes the heritage of the 1st Cavalry. Division. His final military assignment was as the Chief of the Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care at Darnall Army Medical Center, Ft Hood.

While stationed at Ft Hood, Van periodically served as interim pastor at the First Presbyterian Church, Copperas Cove, TX and First Presbyterian Church, Llano, TX.

After military retirement, he continued his ministry in Paris Presbyterian Church, Paris, PA 1984-87 and as the hospital chaplain at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL 1987-89; before moving to San Antonio, TX where he served as chaplain of Morningside Manor 1990-1997 and The Meadows 1997-99, a retirement community complex run by Presbyterians, Methodists, and Episcopalians. He also served as interim pastor for the Pilgrim Presbyterian Church in Smiley, Texas.

After his second retirement, he returned to the Central TX area and was a Metroplex Hospital Volunteer. He served as the Killeen Police Department Chaplain and worked with Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home.

Van and Diane were avid world travelers, traveling to numerous countries including Australia, China, Peru, and all over Europe. He enjoyed auctioneering, woodworking, horseback riding, square dancing, square dance calling and singing. For the past 10 years he lived at the Temple Meridian/Morada where he led church services and numerous social activities.

Van is preceded in death by his wife, Diane Kingsley Vanderland and parents, Emery and Alice Vanderland.

Surviving family include his son William Sidney Vanderland (wife Laurel) of Burleson, TX and daughters, Sandra Hudson (husband Randy) of Belton, TX and Marian Lowther (husband Michael) of St. Petersburg, FL. Grandchildren Kathryn Vanderland-Rice, Dr. William Ryan Vanderland (wife Leslie), Kristyn Vanderland, Kelsey Elliott (husband Ethan), Tyler Hudson, Joel Lowther (wife Caitlyn), and Dr. Amy Lowther, and 7 great-grandchildren.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crawfordbowersfuneralhome.com for the Vanderland family.