FILE NUMBER........

Whereas, The people of the State of Nevada suffered a tremendous

loss with the passing of Edward Ward Van Gorder on December 9, 1997;

and

Whereas, Edward Van Gorder was born in Ithaca, New York, on

January 24, 1926, to Walter and Bessie Van Gorder; and

Whereas, Ed Van Gorder graduated from Ithaca High School in 1944

and attended Ithaca College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree

with a major in Physical Education, and a Master’s Degree in 1957; and

Whereas, Ed Van Gorder was employed by Reno School District No.

10 in September 1948 as a teacher and coach and served 15 years as a

coach, science teacher and counselor at B.D. Billinghurst Junior High

School; and

Whereas, Ed Van Gorder received counseling and administration

certificates after attending the University of Nevada, Reno, from 1962 until

1966 and in 1963 was appointed Principal of Hunter Lake Elementary

School in Reno where he served until his retirement in 1984; and

Whereas, After his retirement, Ed Van Gorder was elected to the

Board of School Trustees of the Washoe County School District in 1984

and was re-elected in 1992, serving as President, Vice President and Clerk;

and

Whereas, Ed Van Gorder was a member of the National Association of

Elementary Principals and the Nevada Association of School

Administrators; and

Whereas, This dedicated public servant was also active in civic

organizations including the B.P.O. Elks Lodge, Optimist Club, Reno Board

of Realtors, Nevada Association of School Boards and was a life member

of the Parent-Teacher Association; and

Whereas, Ed Van Gorder received numerous awards throughout his

life recognizing him for his contributions to education including the Award

of Excellence from the Hunter Lake PTA, Washoe County Teachers

Association Dedicated Performance Award, Nevada Association of School

Boards Meritorious Service Award, ROTC High Schools’ Leadership

Excellence Award, Sierra Council PTA Award and the Optimist

International Award; and

Whereas, The love and respect that Ed Van Gorder received from his

students was expressed simply by District Court Judge Charles McGee who

was quoted as saying, "For hundreds of us who came to the hardwood

floors of the old Billinghurst gym, for those who came there and received

our first lessons in life and discipline and laughter, for us Ed Van Gorder

was just ‘coach.’"; and

Whereas, Ed Van Gorder is survived by his wife Jan and sons Bill

Whitney of Reno and Robert Van Gorder of Fairfax, Virginia, daughters

Kristi Van Gorder of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Cathy Heemansen of Moraga,

California, Victoria Wilson and Cynthia Hanlon, both of Los Angeles,

California, brother Melvin Van Gorder of Ithaca, New York, six

grandchildren and several nieces and nephews; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly

Concurring, That Edward Ward Van Gorder will forever be remembered

with highest regard by residents of this state and the many pupils who

benefited from his dedication and commitment to education; and be it

further

Resolved, That the members of this body express their deepest

sympathies and extend their sincere condolences to Edward Ward Van

Gorder’s beloved wife Jan and family; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a copy

of this resolution to Jan Van Gorder.

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