Fr. Thomas L Vandenberg
March 21, 1936 - July 31, 2024
Obituary
A Life Well Lived
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Reverend Thomas L. Vandenberg, 88, beloved son, pastor, brother, uncle and friend. Father Tom passed over from this world to God’s new world on July 31, 2024. He was born in Mount Vernon, WA on March 21, 1936, the son of Albert J. Vandenberg and Joyce M. (Haugen)Vandenberg; and is survived by brothers James Joseph Vandenberg, M.D. (Dorothy, deceased), and Russell Vandenberg (Margie). He was preceded in death by his brother Dr. Albert Vernon Vandenberg (Doris deceased); and is the incredible uncle to numerous nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.
Father Tom graduated from Highline High School in Burien, WA in 1954 and went on to receive his B.A. from Carroll College in Helena, MT in 1958, and an M. Div. from St. Thomas the Apostle Seminary in 1962. In 1986 he received a M.A. from Regis College in Denver, Co.
Father Tom was Pastor Emeritus, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Federal Way and served his faithful community from 1982 until retiring in 2008. Before his time at St. Vincent’s he served at numerous parishes, including as pastor for St. Philomena Parish, Administrator of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Teresa Parish, and Associate Pastor for St. Patrick’s Parish in Seattle. In addition to his years of pastoral ministry, Father Tom was the Director of Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), Archdiocese of Seattle, served with the Cursillo Movement, and dedicated 10 years in ministry with Worldwide Marriage Encounter. Over the sixty plus years of Father Tom’s priestly vocation, he accomplished much: numerous awards, speaking engagements and publications. He authored 3 books, ‘The Celibacy Myth: Loving for Life’ (1987), ‘Rediscovering a Pearl of Great Price: The Surprising Sacrament of Matrimony’ (2012), and completed his final book ‘The Logic of Love: Healing the Human Wound’ published in June 2024.
Father Tom’s greatest achievement in life is much more than a list of parishes served, books published, or special assignments. His greatest achievement is the legacy of innumerable people whose lives were changed for the better because of Father Tom’s love and his example of joyful faith, even when enduring heavy crosses.
Father Tom was known as an incredibly gifted homilist. He wrote thought provoking and powerful homilies, often beginning with a story to capture the parishioners’ attention, its relation to Scripture, our relationship with God, inspiring reflection and teaching us to grow in His grace. He had the ability to integrate humor when appropriate and inspired his parishioners to a deeper love of God’s Word. There was something so special in his meticulous preparation combining reverence and relevance to our daily lives through Scripture.
Father Tom also loved the beauty of God’s creation, spending time hiking in our beautiful Pacific Northwest, skiing, traveling and golfing with fellow priests and parishioners. They treasure the memories of times spent hiking and traveling with him. His family is eternally grateful for the gift of his vocation. Having a brother or uncle as a priest meant that every important celebration in the family was blessed with his ability to celebrate the sacraments: baptisms, weddings, anointings and funerals. Uncle Tom (as his nieces and nephews called him) had a gift for presiding at funeral masses, and countless parishioners and grieving families were comforted by his special charism of ministering to the bereaved.
A Vigil will take place at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Federal Way on Monday, August 12th at 7:00pm. There will be some time to share a favorite memory of or story about him. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 13th at 10:30am, also at St. Vincent de Paul Parish.
“Among all the wonderful legacies that we will leave behind when we die, this may be the greatest of them all. Made in the image of God, we live in the likeness of God by choosing to let God form and shape the world through us.”
The Logic of Love
Page # 212 – Reverend Thomas L. Vandenberg
Our family first met Fr. Tom in the 60’s when he was assistant pastor at Assumption Church in Bellingham, WA. We had the privilage of sharing dinners and golf on several occasions. We moved to Arizona in the 90’s and were surprised one Sunday to see him sitting several rows ahead of us at Mass. My husband Phil gave a rather loud “Psssst, Fr. Tom! He turned around, along with other people, and we got together after Mass. Whenever he visited Ariz., he would call. One year he administered the Rite of Healing to my husband while he was in the hospital. In 22’ when my husband passed away, we called Fr. Tom and he helped us plan his services. He was truly a priest of the people and loved by many. God love you and rest in peace!.