Last Good Bye

On Thursday July 1, 2010 Tom Vander Wal passed away (or as Father Justo says, “he went on ahead of us”). Tom had spent the last year battling stomach and liver cancer and is finally relieved of that pain. Tom is much loved and missed by his family and the many communities and groups he put much of his time, love, and work into.

Tom was a member of Kiwanis, AHIP, NAIFA, past president of AHIA, DVI Citizen’s Advisory Committee, active member of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Stockton, past deputy to the Episcopal Church General Convention, active member of TENS, his many many years being a course marshal at the AT&T Pebble Beach ProAm, and much more.

Please feel free to leave a message or memory in the comments.

[posted by Tom’s son Thomas Vander Wal]

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21 Responses to Last Good Bye

  1. Ed Anderson says:

    It was an honor to serve with Tom on the board of the Association of Health Insurance Advisors. He was a well-respected gentleman and was a knowledge resource for us on the health insurance industry. His service to the industry and to those in California will be remembered for many years. He was proud of his family and often spoke of you. We pray that the Holy Spirit will comfort you during these days.

  2. Robelynn Abadie says:

    Maye and Tom,
    I am very sad to learn of Tom’s passing and sorry that I wasn’t in touch for many months. Tom’s quiet demeanor and strong intellect was admired by many. It was a pleasure to get to know him while we served together on the AHIA Board.
    Wayne and I send our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Tom spoke often of his faith and his church involvement, so I feel certain that you are immersed in the love and hope that comes from a strong belief in God.
    Love and prayers from our family,
    Wayne and Robelynn

  3. Casey Curtis says:

    This amazing man had an impressive impact on my life starting 30 years ago and as I give pause to honor him, I am realizing more and more the magnitude of the simple gesture of caring that he had on a young and hurting young girl. Thank you Tom for helping to make me feel like I mattered in a very lost time. You are missed already but I am ever so thankful that I will see you again, and without question, my life is better for having you a part of it. Your legacy lives on in your son and grandson and I feel blessed to call Thomas a precious friend. Thank you for being you.

  4. Janey Burruss says:

    Dear Maye and son Thomas – your loss is felt by many and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Knowing Tom for more than a decade through TENS and serving with him on the board was a privilege and joy. God’s peace, Janey

  5. Susan Waters says:

    Dear Maye and Tom,

    Tom and I go back a long way to before I was at NAIFA and when we were both involved with Health Care Foundations in California. We had many good times and many challenges then as we tried to reshape health care delivery in those days.

    It was a delight to be reunited with Tom again when I came to NAIFA in 2007, and he was President of AHIA. I’m awfully glad we had a new chance to be acquainted. He was so much as I had remembered him.

    Please accept my condolences on behalf of myself and the NAIFA/AHIA staff. We will miss Tom and wish you the very best as you experience your loss.

  6. Nedi Rivera says:

    Dear Maye,
    Tom’s faithfulness and trust in God has supported so many of us for these many years. May our love support you as he goes on to closer service with God.
    You are in my heart and prayers.
    Nedi

  7. Karl Hansen says:

    Another great professional is lost from this earth. We will miss him and all of the great work that he did on our behalf in the insurance industry. He was a giant person in all ways.

    Karl

  8. Julie Phillips says:

    Dear Maye & Tom,

    I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Tom while serving as a liaison on the AHIA board. His dedication and commitment to his industry was apparent. His love of his family and God was even more apparent. May your memories lift your spirit and sustain you in the difficult days ahead.

    God’s peace,
    Julie

  9. Fred Risard says:

    I did not know Tom for very long. Just a short while. In that time I was inspired and learned much about stewardship. But he left a bigger impact on me in another way. He and I were diagnosed at about the same time. When we shared with each other, he was more comforting, than in showing need of comfort. A man of great strength.
    Peace,
    Fred+

  10. DON & JERI COBERLY says:

    We first met over 26 years ago and worked together in Kawinas Chili Cook Offs, NAIFA Golf Tournament and many other things together. With the Lord’s blessing we will meet again someday, my friend.

  11. Jeff & Shan Taggart says:

    Maye and Family Our love and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Tom was a great man and contributed grately to the success of Naifa and Ahia, his insight and knowledge will be missed by all. Thank you for lending him too us over the many years he served our federation. Jeff & Shan Taggart

  12. John H. Shumaker says:

    Dear Maye,

    Dear Maye,

    May the Lord support you during this time of sorrow and give you strength. Tom’s friendship and example have been a blessing in my life, and we have that hope in Jesus Christ that we will all be together again.

    God’s rich blessings to you,
    Jack+

  13. To Maye & Family,
    Please accept our sincerest condolences on the passing of Tom–he will be greatly missed—he was an outstanding Industry Leader and made a difference in the lives he touched. The world is a better place because of Tom and what he exemplified.

    With special thoughts and best wishes–Terry & Wynetta Headley

  14. John Alves says:

    I have known Tom for a number of years while he was on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee at DVI. I will miss Tom as he was a good leader and advisor. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
    John Alves

  15. Matt Conrad says:

    Dear Maye and family,
    Diana and I have so many wonderful memories of you and Tom while at St. Anne’s. Your love for each other, and your love and care for us, so inspired us in our life and has continued to inform us in our loving of each other and those around us. That is a gift which seems to have endless expansion, and you have both given it so freely and well… Know that we carry you in our hearts as you grieve, and that our prayers and love surround you and hold you.
    Matt and Diana Conrad

  16. Donna D. Schram says:

    Dear Maye and Tom:

    Tom was my dearest and closest cousin when we were children. He was the older brother that I never had, but so wished for. He was handsome, funny, loyal, musical, and very smart. He will always, always have such a special place in my heart. Goodnight dear cousin.

    Dee Dee

  17. Mary and Paul Sigwart says:

    Dear Maye and Thomas,
    We were saddened to learn of the loss of Tom. We will remember him as a caring man who was steadfast in faith. We have remembered you in prayer, asking the Lord’s peace in your hearts.

    Mary and Paul

  18. Luis & Leslie Sanchez says:

    Dear Maye, our hearts and prayers go out to you and Tom Jr. We known and loved Tom for who he was and all he did for the Episcopal Church overall and to our St Anne’s congregation over the years. We will truely miss him but have comfort that he is with our creator. His spirit will always be remembered by us. We recall when you and Tom introduced us to St Anne’s and we have been there for over 26 years. It is because of both of your encouragement that we have grown in our faith. We love you, Luis & Leslie

  19. Bob Moore says:

    To the Vander Wal family,
    I knew Tom for only a short while, but had so much respect for him. Working together in the early time of the journey just after the convention vote, I always found him to be a steady influence and a voice of reason and courage. I mourn his death and will keep you all in my prayers.

    Bob

  20. George Brett says:

    I know Thomas the Younger. I didn’t know his father, but as my Quaker Friends say, “I am holding Them in the Light.” There is much to say in silence and I am thankful for knowing Thomas the Younger as well as for Thomas the Senior who helped shape his Son.

    George

  21. Cathy Dodson for Stockton Estate Planning Council says:

    Tom was a member of the Stockton Estate Planning Council and will be missed as a colleague and a member. Please accept our condolences on your loss.

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