In Loving Memory of Vic VanderSchoor

September 3, 1952 – February 17, 2026

Heaven's choir gained a beautiful tenor when Vic was called home and freed from the struggles of Parkinson's disease. His spirit is now free and at peace.

Vic was born on September 3, 1952, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Pasco, Washington, to Ethelyn Orma Young VanderSchoor and Bernard Rixen VanderSchoor. He was welcomed by his older siblings, Ronald Gust and Billie Darlene, who doted on their little brother.

Vic spent his youth in Pasco forming friendships that lasted a lifetime, including a beloved pinochle group that continued meeting throughout the years. He enjoyed riding bikes with friends, playing tennis and basketball, and staying active in his community. He attended Pasco schools and graduated with honors from Pasco High School in 1970. During high school, he participated in Modern Choir and Boys State.

Family was central to Vic's life. He treasured trips to Ione to visit his grandparents, Hershel and Carolina Wyckoff, and his aunt and uncle, Harley and Marge Young. He spent summers there helping with haying and logging. He also enjoyed special times with his VanderSchoor aunts, uncles, and cousins in Yakima, as well as with his sister Darlene and her children.

Singing was one of Vic's greatest joys and remained a lifelong passion. After college, he joined the Paul Maurer Singers and performed throughout Spokane. For many years, he served as Master of Ceremonies for the Miss Tri-Cities Pageant. He sang Christmas songs on the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Lights bus tour and performed each year in the Pasco Courthouse rotunda for employees. He was a member of the band Candleflame, alongside Marja, Max, Warren, and Mike, performing at major events across the Tri-Cities and at Mass at St. Patrick's Church in Pasco. He delighted family and friends by singing at reunions, campfires, weddings, and countless other gatherings. He faithfully called loved ones to sing "Happy Birthday" and never missed singing a bedtime song to his daughters. Many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren cherish the special songs Vic sang just for them.

During his first year of college in 1971, Vic met his "Honey," Gail Louise Love. That meeting began a love story that would last forever. They enjoyed riding the matching Schwinn Varsity bikes he purchased, exploring the countryside together. Both served as residence advisors, and Vic played basketball on a team affectionately named the Stewed Prunes.

After graduating from college, Vic and Gail were married in 1975 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spokane Valley, Washington. They moved to Seattle, where Vic attended law school at the University of Washington and Gail worked as a registered nurse at Doctor's Hospital. At just 23 years old, they faced the future with confidence and determination. Vic enjoyed playing handball with his law school friends and purchased their first home in Mountlake Terrace in 1978. There, he built the first of many projects—a shed and a cement patio. Vic made daily lists of goals, determined to make each day count. He always had a project underway and lived with purpose.

After graduating from law school in 1979, Vic and Gail returned to Pasco. He joined the law firm of Olson, Olson & Hevel, located across from the Franklin County Courthouse. He volunteered to deliver documents to judges, enjoying conversations with clerks and staff. He later became court commissioner for District Court Judge Pete Felsted and discovered his deep love for serving as a judge. He eventually joined the firm of Ed McKinley and Dan Hultgrenn (one of his basketball buddies) and cherished his years working alongside respected colleagues and staff. Later elected to the Benton and Franklin County Superior Court Bench, Vic served for 20 years. He often said how fortunate he felt to go to a job he loved every single day.

Vic was deeply devoted to the Tri-Cities community. He served on numerous boards, including Consumer Credit Counseling, Carondelet Psychiatric Care Center, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, the Pasco Chamber of Commerce (as past president), the Volunteer Center, Benton/Franklin Legal Aid, Safe Harbor Crisis Nursery, and the Miss Washington Organization. He was also a member of Sunrise Rotary, the Pasco/Kennewick Exchange Club, Leadership Tri-Cities, and participated in adult league basketball, including a lawyers' team.

Travel was always a priority for Vic and his family. He, Gail, and their daughters made treasured road trips with their trailer to Disneyland every few years. They visited Terry and Rich during their Air Force postings, including time in Germany and Holland. Vic loved cruising and shared many trips with family and friends—including two cruises in 2025. He enjoyed camping with the FOLKS and Candlelighters, spending time with Gail's family in Spokane, visiting the Mengelkamp farm in Moscow, Idaho, camping with his daughters through Indian Guides, and gathering at the family property at Pend Oreille Lake.

At the lake, Vic was always ready for a new project—helping build sheds, trailer covers, decks, and additions. He and Rich built a shed complete with electricity and plumbing. He even constructed a fun set of trickster bars in the woods behind the trailer, much to the delight of the children.

Vic was deeply loved and admired by his entire family: his wife and best friend of 50 years, Gail Louise Love VanderSchoor; his daughters, Kristina Ann VanderSchoor (Cody), Juli Nicole VanderSchoor Dutcher (Elliott), and Karianne Marie VanderSchoor; and his grandchildren, Madeleine Aurora VanderSchoor (Pat), Kaitlyn Ariel, Peyton George, Hudson Lee Dutcher, Hayli Love Dutcher, and Brielle Viola. He is also lovingly remembered by Terry and Rich Hagelin, Kathi and Rocky Frazier, and all his nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Vic was preceded in death by his mother, Ethelyn; his father, Bernard; his stepfather, Bob Randolph; his sister, Darlene; and his brother, Ron.

We grieve his absence, but we find comfort knowing he has been set free. As Dr. Seuss wrote, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

Though Vic is no longer with us, we will always remember his big smile, warm hugs, faithful friendship, unconditional love, cheerful good mornings, special songs, shoulder massages, gentle kisses on the top of the head, and ever-present helping hand.

"Just imagine me singing with a choir of angels, wrapped in the protective wings of God, taking my first breath of pure celestial air, my thirst quenched by the eternal well of the Spirit."

Welcome to Heaven, Vic. Home at last.