Andrew D. Vande Linde

Andrew D. Vande Linde

Andrew D. Vande Linde, 22, of Eau Claire and formerly of Menomonie passed away Thursday, May 31, 2007.

Andrew was born March 28, 1985 in Detroit, MI. He was the son of Scott and Ana M.Q. Vande Linde and the brother of Ryan J. Vande Linde.

Andrew lived with his family in Detroit until moving to West Bloomfield, MI, when he was five, where he began school at Pleasant Lake Elementary. In West Bloomfield Andrew enjoyed numerous activities including baseball, soccer and basketball and had many friends. In a fifth grade memory book, Andrew wrote about West Bloomfield: "This was the very best place I ever lived. I remember all the cool places we used to hike. The very best part was after school a bunch of kids much older than me and my self played street hockey."

Andrew was selected to a special gifted and talented class for 3rd grade. His teacher indicated that Andrew was developing as a leader in the classroom.

Andrew was a life long fan of the Detroit professional sports teams.

When Andrew was eight years old he and his family moved to Menomonie, WI. He attended River Heights Elementary School and the Menomonie Middle School. Andrew especially enjoyed his fifth and sixth grade teachers, Angie Catto and Steve Tilison.

During this time Andrew enjoyed many activities with his friends Jim Parejko, Jamie Olson, and Joe Kneer.

Upon graduation from River Heights, Andrew received the President's Education Award in recognition of his Outstanding Academic Achievement.

In 1999 Andrew's family moved to Eau Claire where he attended Eau Claire Memorial High School. Andrew played trumpet in the Memorial Jazz and Wind Ensemble bands. Playing in these bands was one of the greatest moments of Andrew's life. Andrew loved performing. One of his best memories and performances was helping Eau Claire Memorial Jazz I, directed by Bruce Hering, win the Honors Band Award, Division AA, at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Jazz Festival his senior year where the band played "The Mooche," by Duke Ellington.

Andrew was an amazing tennis player. In fifth grade Andrew wrote "I love tennis. I would rather play tennis than do anything else in the world. I love the competition. I sweat my head off. It is really fun to whack, slam, kill, smack and bang that ball."

Andrew played number one singles for two years at Memorial. He played in two individual state tournaments and helped the team play in three state team tournaments. Andrew had much success in the many tennis tournaments he played in through out the years. He was selected all state his senior year.

Andrew also played traveling soccer with Eau Claire United through u16. He played on the Memorial junior varsity team before deciding to concentrate on music and tennis.

After high school Andrew continued his tennis at Hamline University where he had a 19-6 record last year to help the Pipers to a 3rd place conference finish. Andrew loved playing for the Pipers and enjoyed his friendship with fellow teammate and Memorial graduate Ben Watkins.

Andrew was a senior at Hamline University majoring in History and Music Performance. He was a member of the Jazz and Wind-Ensemble bands. His Wind-Ensemble band director, Dr. Greene, said that upon giving Andrew the opportunity to play principal trumpet, "and when I did give him the opportunity he really lived up to his role and revelled in it."

Andrew previously worked for the Eau Claire Parks and Rec Department as a summer tennis instructor. He would have begun a job this summer as a tennis pro and camp counselor at Camp Winadu in Massachusetts.

Andrew was a kind and big hearted young man. Andrew enjoyed playing chess, frisbee and video games with his friends. He loved his brother, Ryan, and his brother loved him. He was well loved by his family and friends. He is survived by his parents, Scott and Ana, his younger brother Ryan, his grandmothers Jerilyn Vande Linde (South Haven MI), Salud Quimsing (Iloilo City Philippines), his grandfather Gillis Vande Linde (Marti) (Portage, MI), his aunts and uncles Kelly and Scott Cedarquist (South Haven, MI), Bob and Karen Nash (Grand Rapids, MI), Daniel and Louella Donati (Briarcliff, NY), Rizalito and Karen Ilagan (Orofino, ID), Kim Belleza (Manila, Philippines), Alan Quimsing, Karl and Marilou Quimsing, and Rhys Emilio and Mylene Quimsing (Iloilo City, Philippines) and cousins Brian Thevenin, Bruce and Beverly Thevenin, Brian, Emily, Melissa and Sarah Thevenin, Chelsea Cedarquist, Dana Donati, Rika and IJ Ilagan, Patricia Belleza, Alan Jr., Alaine Mae, Aila Mae, Luis, Clarence, Karla Marie, Luisa Paula, Karl Jr., Rhys Jr., Barclay John, Emily, Betcha, Jaja Quimsing and Mary Anne Quackenbush (Duluth, MN).

Andrew was preceded in death by great grand-parents, Cornelius and Elizabeth Vande Linde, Homer and Jeanne Hunt, and Lloyd Ruby.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 4th and 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 5th at Peace Lutheran Church, 501 E Fillmore Ave. Eau Claire, WI 54701. A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 5th, at Peace Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Andrew Vande Linde to either Peace Lutheran Church or Memorial High School Band Parents Organization and can be mailed to Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Rd., Eau Claire, WI 54701. Donations would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.