Herman "Pete" Vanderplow, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 9th, 2024. Leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories. Born the son of Herman Vanderplow and Ruth Ross. He is survived by daughter Vickie(Tom), and 3 sons Lance(Brenda), Jason(Patty), and Benjamin(Jill). He was the grandpa to 10 grandkids and 9 great grandchildren. Pete was a man who touched the lives of many through his stories, his humor, and his unwavering love for his family.
Pete was the devoted husband of Wanda, his world, whom he married on June 18th, 1958. Their love story spanned over six decades. Pete met Wanda in Bluefield, West Virginia while being on leave from MacDill Air Force Base. He was on a 3- day pass with a buddy who was from Bluefield. After 6 months of going there to visit her, they decided to run off and get married. The funny thing is that her folks had a BIG garden in the mountains and you had to go over the hill where the garden was to get water. As they had planned, Pete was on the other side of the hill waiting for Wanda where she dropped the pail and ran for the car! They then traveled to Sparta, NC. While there they went into a field to get the preacher and then arrived at his residence and were married. She was one month short of 17 years old and he was 18. It was a long road with ups and downs like any marriage. Pete was in the Air Force for 10 years where he was an air traffic controller. Wanda followed him everywhere including Germany, Florida, and Texas, kids and all. Together, they built a life filled with joy, adventure, and a shared love for family.
Pete had a passion for the simple pleasures in life. He loved nothing more than spending a day fishing, feeling the warmth of the Florida sun on his face, and taking leisurely rides on his golf cart. As a snowbird, he split his time between the sunny shores of Florida and the serene landscapes of Wisconsin, savoring the best of both worlds.
For nearly three decades, Pete was a beloved figure at Freedom Square and where his fishing stories and playful teasing made him a favorite among the residents. His presence was so cherished that the residents would eagerly await his return whenever he was on vacation. Pete's warmth and humor left an indelible mark on all who knew him.
A die-hard fan of the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Cubs, Pete never missed a Sunday of football. He especially enjoyed teasing Wanda for her allegiance to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while he was a Green Bay Packers fan. A playful rivalry for many years.
Above all, Pete was a family man. He treasured his time with his loved ones and was immensely proud of the friends he made at Four Seasons over the past 28 years. His laughter, his stories, and his love will be deeply missed, but his memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Celebration of life will be held on January 25th, 2025 at Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home, 7950 131st St N, Seminole, FL 33776 beginning at 1pm. A committal service with military honors will follow.
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