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He made everyone feel special and loved making the kids laugh. We always looked forward to interacting with him whenever we could. He was a great role model for the kids and for the community. He will be greatly missed and our hearts go out to his family and closest friends.
--Julie and Mila Galle

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An amazing person
We were so excited to learn Mr. V would be the new principal at Morse a few years ago. As members of CLC, we saw what a great job he was doing there. What a great leader for Morse! We loved his inspirational messages and especially the "best things Mr. V. saw at Morse this week". In a world that seems filled with negativity and hate, it was nice to see these uplifting messages and examples of kindness in our own school. Our brief conversations always ended with "Go Cats!". We will miss that. Rest in peace, Mr. V. You will truly be missed. The Hemmy Family

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Mr. V. was more than a principal, he was a spiritual leader to the Morse community. He reached into hearts and homes through his kindness, his consistency, and persistence in seeing the best in people. His legacy will go far beyond he could have ever imagined. He truly exhibited the love and light of Jesus. We've all lost a great man. - The Van Slyke Family

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We will miss him at lunch. He always made us laugh when he pretended a banana was a phone. He was the best principle and always made us laugh.

-Marley and Mila B.

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I don't really have any memories but he was a really big Chiefs fan. He was also very nice and kind.

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Mr. Vandemark, Was a very kind man, He would always make everyone happy. Mr. Vandemark, Would encourage us like `` You can do this. ``

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He was always there if anyone was sad and he always had a sweet smile

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You where the best person in the whole wide world you will all ways be in are hearts and thank you for all ways putting a smile on are faces and for all ways being there for use and never gave up on use and criticism makes you a beautiful tree.

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Mr. V and me used to wear suits together on school days. He was the nicest principal, Im feeling a little down by it. He was an amazing person. He made everyone smile, Everyone loved him...

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I did not infortuanaly have Mr. Vandemark as a principal. But from these kids it sounds like they loved you soo much. You would've have been the best 

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I did not infortuanaly have Mr. Vandemark as a principal. But from these kids it sounds like they loved you soo much. You would've have been the best 

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Mr. Vandemark was truly an encourager for our children at Morse. He would smile each morning and afternoon when we brought Faith to school each day. We truly enjoyed his writings each week. We always said he should write a book.

Our sincere condolences are for his wife, children, family, and the entire Morse Family. We pray for comfort and peace during this time. Please know that Mr. Vandemark served well.

Sincerely,

Wyland & Reesa Bolen

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Our family is heartbroken over the passing of Mr. V. When our son started kindergarten last year we were all anxious, but Mr. V quickly made us feel comfortable and safe. My son has  loved the encouragement and kind words that were abundant  from Mr. V and we will all truly, truly miss him in our lives. Our thoughts are with his family and the entire Morse community.
-The Coverdale Family

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A wonderful principal and and even more wonderful person...

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A wonderful principal and and even more wonderful person...

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Mr. Vandemark started at Morse Elementary the same year I did. We instantly connected through our shared music education experiences. He said his daughter was in band and he loved every second of it.

My fondest memory of Mr. V will forever be the time I overslept on the day he was coming to observe my fourth grade strings class. I woke up in a panic and in tears because I felt like I had let him down. When I called the front office to explain the situation, he texted me a video of my students teaching him to play the violin. It was amazing. In the same text, he explained to me NOT to worry, TRULY (he put those in all caps). He said my students learned from the best and what a wonderful job I’m doing. He also told me to come by  the school to pick up the Starbucks he bought me that morning.

He knew how to make a person feel good. I w be ill miss him!

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Mr. Vandemark was an amazing principal. He always use to speak a few words while in the pick line and make the person feel important. It was always nice to see him with his smiling face. His shared stories are always inspiring. He was a great principal with the quality of being able to remember and pronounce kiddos names correctly. He will be truly missed. May his soul Rest In Peace. Our deepest condolences and prayers to the family.

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Mr. Vandemark was a really kind man, he would always walk around the hallways and spread some joy, I really loved having him as a principal.

From,
Nikhil Umapathy

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Mr. V was 1 in a billion. He had an uncanny ability to make someone feel like the most important person alive whenever he talked to them. I try to pick my son up from school every once in a while.  Whenever I do, I like to go through the car line because I get to see Mr. V and there’s just something about him that makes me feel happy.
If anybody ever found what they were meant to do in this life, it was him. He will be deeply missed by the Eldridge’s!

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I am deeply saddened to hear this news about Mr. V. He was truly one of a kind. His enthusiasm & positivity were contagious. He seemed to make each person he spoke to feel welcomed, special, important, and heard. I think we can all agree he had a way with words! His weekly emails included inspiring messages that I looked forward to every Friday. This is a great loss for the Morse community and he will be missed.

I want to offer my deepest condolences to his wife and children, who he spoke of often and very fondly. I pray they find peace during this difficult time.

Caitlin Eldridge & Family

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Our deepest condolences to his wife and children. We are just heartbroken over his passing. We feel blessed for the time we had with him as the leader of our school. He will be truly missed.
The Sorkin Family

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Mr. V was a wonderful Principal but an even better human being.  From the time he stepped foot in that school I knew he was going to do good things and I was right!  He always made every child feel special and important and was always smiling.  “The best thing that Mr. V saw” made such a positive impact also!!

My most fond memory of him is the relationship he had with my youngest daughter.  My 4 year old didn’t yet attend school but every morning and every afternoon in car rider line she would beg me to roll her window down (rain or shine) so that she could say hi to Mr. Vandemark!  He would giggle with her and act like he didn’t see her when she was hiding and with the biggest smile on his face,  “say well hello young lady!”

We moved out of state this school year and we were so sad to be leaving Mr. V and all of Morse.  But, this I would have never imagined.  I know there will be a hole in this community from losing such a great man.  We are praying for the Vandemark family and the whole Morse community.

-The Pierpoint family

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He brought me my hot chocolate. I ’m gonna miss him a ton.  He brought light in this world.
From your student, Liam.

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I had the privilege of working with him and watching him interact with all the kids in the lunchroom for the last year and a half. Not only was he an incredible Principle to my son, but he was a mentor to me. I am beyond devastated that is is no longer with us. My prayers, love and thoughts go out to Mrs. Vandemark and their children, Morse Elementary- teachers, staff and students, and anyone who had been blessed to know him. I will miss him beyond words. I hope he knew how much I and others admired, respected and appreciated him. The world lost a bright light too soon.
With my deepest condolences,
Amanda Nelson & family

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Mr. V always made me feel understood. He never got upset

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Mr. V always made me feel understood. He never got upset

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Mr. Vandemark, your passing came as a shock to us all and our community will miss you dearly. We got the privilege of having you as our principal for just a short time but in that time, you touched so many hearts and inspired people to try their best, have grace, and love one another. I still can’t believe how quickly you learned each and every student and their family. Your weekly emails with positive highlights and glimpses into your own life and family’s life truly showed how much your school family meant to you. I very much appreciate all the time you spent talking to us on the phone trying to decide what is best for our family school wise this year. Even though you are gone, your mark on the community, your staff and students/families will last forever. Many prayers for your family and may you Rest In Peace! -Jekic family

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We didn’t get to meet Mr. Vandemark, but I was very impressed with him at the kindergarten roundup parent meeting this spring and through his inspirational emails. I’m so very sorry for his family’s loss as well as the loss felt by his friends and those who worked closely with him. Prayers for all concerned. —The Ketner Family

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Steve wrote a loving and thoughtful email to my third grade team sharing how excited his daughter was to join us and begin her dream career. He was proud of her and it beamed in his words.  It was something that only the best kind of Dad and person would do. Steve, you were a class act. Everyone who knew you, loved you. Prayers and my deepest condolences to your loving family.

Katie Porter

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Our heart is broken.  Mr. V was a friend to every child at Morse.  He was kind, enthusiastic and engaged with the students unlike any other administrator I'd ever seen.  Whether answering a banana phone at lunch, knowing every child by name, giving high fives or just greeting kids and families each morning with his enthusiasm and smile, he  brightened each of our days.  He was always so receptive and kind to me as a parent whenever we needed anything from him.

We are all better people for having known him.  So much love to his family, colleagues and all of the students whose lives he's impacted with his care and love.

Mr.  V, the loss of you in our lives is painful and you will be so very missed.

Thank you for all that you did for us.

The Hamm Family

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Going into our first Kindergarten Roundup we didn’t know what to expect. As first time parents with so many good kindergarten options we wanted to make sure we were making the right choice. After watching and listening to Mr. V’s presentation and seeing his excitement for Morse and for teaching we knew we were making the correct choice.

We also enjoyed reading his weekly emails and hearing about and learning from all of his experiences.

He was a teacher to the students and the parents.

Mr. V. You will be missed.

The Enlow Family

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He was so nice and such a good principal.  It was so fun when he came out to play with us at recess. We will miss you! From, Camden 

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He was so nice and such a good principal.  It was so fun when he came out to play with us at recess. We will miss you! From, Camden 

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Sorry for your loss.  He was a wonderful person and he will be missed.  He was so proud of his kids and the loss for them is unfathomable.

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“A final question to ponder: What percentage of your goals and dreams are about money and “stuff”? When it’s all said and done, will people be able to say about you, “Well-done good and faithful servant.” We’re all leaders in some manner. Come. Join. Me.” Mr. V.

Everything you did at Morse flows from everything you are in Christ. I saw a Jesus follower in our principal and  we loved it! Thank you for letting Jesus shine brightly thru you to everyone in our school Mr. V! You were truly a blessing to our school and will be greatly missed. Tony and Carla Roberts.

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We are a new Morse family, and our first contact with anyone at the school the first day was Mr. V.  He gave me a great first impression and made me feel like my kids were going to have a great year and that we were going to love Morse.  What a sad loss for everyone.  My condolences to Mr. V’s family.

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Very saddened to hear about Mr.Steve and my son is crying. All my kids are graduated from Morse. All my kids say Mr.V is very Chill. We still couldn't digest the news. We pray for his family, school, kids, and all parents to recover from this loss.

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My daughter is currently Morse student and we have very good memories with Mr. Vandermark. It is a shocking news for us and we can not able to digest this.
He is very kind, always ready to help and takes excellent care of students. His weekly emails are very inspirational to us.

Our deepest condolences to his family.