Heathcock Genealogy Database - Person Sheet
Heathcock Genealogy Database - Person Sheet
NameHerman Vandestraat 
Birth23 Jun 1931, Brunsum, Holland
Death15 Jun 2011, Rancho Bernardo, CA Age: 79
FatherHermann Vandestraat
MotherEmma Strohm
Spouses
Birth25 Feb 1938, Shamrock, Wheeler Co TX1 Age: 85
FatherRoy Sims (1913-1988)
MotherMary Alabam Banks (1916-2009)
Divorce1993
Notes for Herman Vandestraat
Herman Vandestraat, 79, of Rancho Bernardo, CA, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on June 15, 2011. Herman (Hank) was born June 23, 1931, in Brunsum, Holland, to Emma Strohm and Hermann Vandestraat. He was a child during WWII and spoke often of the joy of being liberated by the U.S. soldiers. He became a proud citizen of the United States years later. After the war he moved to Canada and then to California where he had a restaurant "The Flying Dutchman". He also found his talent and passion in real estate and had a successful real estate office in Berkley, CA, until his retirement. Retirement was busy with travel, golf, boats, and remodeling real estate properties. Herman's love for his family, along with his sharp wit, keen sense of humor, and zest for life, were endearing qualities admired by all. He will be greatly missed.
Herman is survived by his wife, Ellen Vandestraat; stepson, Enoch (Olga) Borozinski; stepdaughter, Sarah (Mason) Hess; and he was "Opa" to his four grandchildren, Ethan, Ava, Vance and Maxeem. He is also survived by his sister, EC (Ben) Buitenhek; niece, Karen (Everett) Glass and children, Kevin, Hunter and Ryan; and nephew, Peter (Kris) Buitenhek and children, Katie and David (Amy).
The family expresses sincere gratitude to his caregivers, Karen Miner, Alicia Yocupicio, and The Elizabeth Hospice for their kindness.
Herman is survived by his wife, Ellen Vandestraat; stepson, Enoch (Olga) Borozinski; stepdaughter, Sarah (Mason) Hess; and he was "Opa" to his four grandchildren, Ethan, Ava, Vance and Maxeem. He is also survived by his sister, EC (Ben) Buitenhek; niece, Karen (Everett) Glass and children, Kevin, Hunter and Ryan; and nephew, Peter (Kris) Buitenhek and children, Katie and David (Amy).
The family expresses sincere gratitude to his caregivers, Karen Miner, Alicia Yocupicio, and The Elizabeth Hospice for their kindness.
Notes for Mabel Ruth (Spouse 1)
The “official” birthdate of 21 Feburary 1938 as given in the Texas Birth Index is actually incorrect; the actual date was 25 February 1938. The error seems to have been made due to a transcription in numbers; Mary Alabam Sims was 21 at the time Mabel Ruth was born.5
Clayton and Ruth met in 1957 while students at Abilene Christian College. Clayton was a junior and was teaching assistant in one of the beginning chemistry courses (qualitative analysis). Ruth was a freshman and worked in the chemistry storeroom. They began dating and were known to their friends by their nicknames, “Tex” and “Sam”. At the end of the spring term, Clayton went home to San Antonio and Ruth went to Houston, where she lived with her aunt, Leitha Banks. During the early part of the summer Clayton made several 200-mile drives from San Antonio to Houston for “dates”. Romance soon won and Clayton found a job in Pasadena doing shift work at Champion Paper and Fiber Company. He lived in a boarding house with about eight other men who had various day jobs. Clayton and Ruth continued to date, eventually fell in love and were married in Houston on September 6, 1957. Shortly thereafter they went back to Abilene, where they had a small studio apartment about two blocks from campus.
During the 1957-58 school year Clayton worked as a teaching assistant and Ruth worked as Secretary to Dr. Paul Witt, the Chemistry Department Chairman. For the rest of the story of their 15-year marriage, see the note under Clayton’s page.
After Clayton and Ruth divorced Ruth was married to Herman Vandestraat for 19 years (1974-1993). For a few years (2017-2021) she lived with daughter Cheryl Jackson in Eastsound, WA, and operated Mt. Baker Farm, a vacation destination, on Orcas Island. In July 2021 Clayton and Ruth reunited and will spend their remaining years together in Martinez CA.
Clayton and Ruth met in 1957 while students at Abilene Christian College. Clayton was a junior and was teaching assistant in one of the beginning chemistry courses (qualitative analysis). Ruth was a freshman and worked in the chemistry storeroom. They began dating and were known to their friends by their nicknames, “Tex” and “Sam”. At the end of the spring term, Clayton went home to San Antonio and Ruth went to Houston, where she lived with her aunt, Leitha Banks. During the early part of the summer Clayton made several 200-mile drives from San Antonio to Houston for “dates”. Romance soon won and Clayton found a job in Pasadena doing shift work at Champion Paper and Fiber Company. He lived in a boarding house with about eight other men who had various day jobs. Clayton and Ruth continued to date, eventually fell in love and were married in Houston on September 6, 1957. Shortly thereafter they went back to Abilene, where they had a small studio apartment about two blocks from campus.
During the 1957-58 school year Clayton worked as a teaching assistant and Ruth worked as Secretary to Dr. Paul Witt, the Chemistry Department Chairman. For the rest of the story of their 15-year marriage, see the note under Clayton’s page.
After Clayton and Ruth divorced Ruth was married to Herman Vandestraat for 19 years (1974-1993). For a few years (2017-2021) she lived with daughter Cheryl Jackson in Eastsound, WA, and operated Mt. Baker Farm, a vacation destination, on Orcas Island. In July 2021 Clayton and Ruth reunited and will spend their remaining years together in Martinez CA.