On January 31, 1992, Jim VanderKelen died of cancer. A strong ski industry leader, he was a principled man of strong convictions, ready to serve them. It was hard for most to do business with him without becoming his friend. This was partly because he liked it that way and partly because he truly wanted to understand and help. Some of those countless friends remember him here. — D.R.
For 15 years I dealt with Jim VanderKelen on an almost daily basis. He was the most honest and straightforward person I have ever dealt with — a true gentleman.
I could always count on him to “make things right.” One time in 1977, my first year in the industry, one of his new employees rented a U-Haul to deliver three Snow Streams to my area. The truck was loaded quite precariously. The result was three bent and upside-down snowguns. “Don’t worry, Phil, it will be made right,” Jim said. And it was. And right wasn’t right unless I said so. In 15 years this never changed.
Phil Walz,
Cascade Mountain, Wisc.
Although many people disagreed with Jim concerning every issue, whether it was snowmaking, making a trade show into an extravaganza or helping and believing in the smaller ski area, few — if any — failed to respect him. One always knew where Jim stood in his convictions on every issue.
Jim’s words of encouragement to guys like myself were always to keep sight of your goals and believe in what you are pursuing. He also did an excellent job of following his own advice.
With the passing of Jim Branch and Jim VanderKelen, our industry has lost two great movers and shakers who affected our industry immensely. For all the turmoil and the fun they provided, we will truly miss them.
Jan Leonard,
CTEC, Salt Lake City, Utah
Jim VanderKelen was one of the cornerstones of the equipment suppliers to this great industry.
He was never short of opinions and caused many discussions that have led to improvements for us all. I hope the fire that burned in Jim, as in others past and present in the industry, will continue to drive the industry in the future.
Mike Beeley,
Logan Manufacturing, Logan, Utah
Jim VanderKelen was a ski industry trailblazer. He developed, built and sold snowmaking machines, but he also constantly promoted the ski industry. Three years ago I explained to Jim all the reasons why I could not, and should not, serve as NSAA/USIA board member.I suggested at least better qualified alternatives. He put his big arm around me and said, “Dave, if you are getting something out of this industry, you have to be willing to give something back. Need I say more?”
I will miss him and his support.
David Roberts,
Sno-Star Pipelines, Cambridge, Mass.
Most folks don’t really know the real Jim VanderKelen. Sometimes Jim would open up and tell stories of some of his trips behind the Iron Curtain for Dow. These were like a Tom Clancy novel, except they were true.
You could always depend on Jim, whether it involved snowmaking, advice, money or just someone to talk to and give you a pat on the back.
But good may come from sadness, because those of us who rely on snow from above now have someone up there teaching Mother Nature how it’s done.
William Riskey,
Mt. Brighton & Ski World, Mich.
Jim was a professional elder statesman in our business who will be missed by all. He will be missed for the humor he injected into this serious business where Mother Nature does not provide laughs.
He will be missed for his leadership in our industry, where he provided his knowledge to various committees and seminars. And he will be missed for his professional approach to the snow business which benefited the industry and made us work harder to follow his example.
Ron Ratnik,
Ratnik Industries, Victor, N.Y.
Jim and I surely had our differences over the years — we go back nearly 20 — but I know of no supplier who believed more in his product and the future of the ski industry than Jim VanderKelen. And he coupled that belief with an integrity and honesty second to none. He asked tough questions and never took no for an answer, but always for the good of the industry, never for himself.
Hugh Knapp
Knapp Assoc., Shelburne, Vt.
Jim was not only one of the brightest minds in the ski business, but was also a true gentleman.
He was instrumental in the “marriage” between Hunter Mountain and Hunter Shiobara, and almost single-handedly helped reduce the cost of snowmaking for ski areas across the country and in foreign lands. He was one of the outstanding personalities in the ski business, and he will be missed by his legion of friends.
Orville A. Slutzky,
Hunter Mountain, N.Y.
Jim had more impact on molding the minds of those of us growing up in this industry than I believe he ever knew. Whether it was at a trade show, special industry seminar, or just a plain phone call, Jim always took time. I think it was his unique mix of technical jargon and good humor that made the difference. We learned a lot, and we had fun along the way.
Eric W. Flynn,
Ski Liberty, Penna.
