Vroom, Clifford LeRoy – 1927-2000

ERSKIN, HIMSTREET, PALM, VROOM

Posted By: Donna Sloan Rempp
Date: 8/27/2016 at 15:14:15

Services Held
Services for Mr. Clifford L. Vroom, Jr., of Pella were held Saturday, February 29, 2009, in the Chapel of Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella. Rev. James P. Ebbers officiated the services. Military Recognition was provided by the Van Veen-Van Hemert American Legion Post No. 89 of Pella, Iowa.
The son of Clifford L. and Doris Himstreet Vroom, Clifford LeRoy Vroom, Jr., was born on February 16, 1927, near Prairie City, Iowa. He graduated from Prairie City High School in 1944 and while attending high school, enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. During this enlistment, Cliff studied drafting as well as tool and die making at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska. While attending the University of Nebraska, Cliff and Doris Virginia Erskin were united in marriage on September 23, 1944, at Lincoln. To this union one son was born. Richard Alan. In June of 1945 he entered into active service and served with the U.S. Army during World War II and was discharged in July of 1946. Following his discharge, Cliff and Doris farmed in the Prairie City vicinity, while at the same time Cliff worked for Solar Aircraft in tool and die making in Des Moines, Iowa. Then in 1959, they moved to Pella. Cliff became a partner in Van Gorp Manufacturing at this time. He continued with Van Gorp’s while becoming a part owner, and then retired in 1983 as Executive Vice-President of Engineering. Following his retirement, he continued to use his mechanical and engineering skills as a consultant for the company until 1996. On his 73rd birthday, February 16, 2000, Cliff passed away in his home at his beloved acreage following a long, hard fought battle with chronic respiratory disease.
Cliff was a member of the United Methodist Church in Prairie City. He was a past president of the National Mechanical Power Transmission Association and was a former representative to the CEMA Association. For the past 53 years, Cliff had been a member of the American Legion.
Survivors are his wife Doris; their son, Richard A. Vroom and his wife, Lana of Prairie City; his two granddaughters: Vicki and her husband, Chris Palm of Monroe; Jodi Vroom of Des Moines; and one great-granddaughter, Ryan Kay Palm.
Cliff was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister.
Source: Monroe Legacy; 24 February 2000