Respected Councilman, Social Worker Dies At 45

The city lost one of its leaders and an advocate for the underprivileged Sunday with the death of City Councilman Marvin G. Vandenberg Jr.

Vandenberg, 45, died of cancer. He had battled the disease since a tumor was discovered on his head several months ago.

Vandenberg, whose father Marvin Vandenberg Sr. is a state representative, was a councilman for six years.

He also worked for 15 years at the state Health and Welfare Department here and in Bonners Ferry.

“Marv has been a strong and consistent voice for fairness and justice in this community, not just as a councilman but as a social worker,” said fellow councilman and mayor-elect David Sawyer.

“I always considered him a good friend on the council and I’m saddened by his loss.”

Vandenberg lived in Sandpoint most of his 45 years. He leaves behind his wife, Amber, two grown daughters and several grandchildren.

Vandenberg was elected to the City Council in 1989. He served on all the council committees and often was one of the council’s dissenting voters. He opposed a massive annexation plan, standing up for residents who panned the proposal and didn’t want to be part of the city.

“I can remember a number of times at council meetings when Marv and I would both lean back in our chairs, look at each other and wink. It was a way of saying to each other ‘hang in there’ during some of those tough votes,” said Sawyer.

Vandenberg was a strong supporter of both the police and fire departments. He was instrumental in getting a new public safety building that the fire and police staff moved into last week.

“He took a special interest in public safety and was very in touch with those departments,” said Police Chief Bill Kice. “He even spent time riding with officers to see what kind of work we do.”

Friends and co-workers described Vandenberg as an outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fly fish. He also treated the public and Health and Welfare clients with respect.

“He always wanted to make sure everyone was treated equally, and he lived by those ethics,” said co-worker John Rich. “But what I remember most about him was not just his love for his family but the way he doted on his grandkids.”

“I think the best way to say it, is he put other people first,” Kice added.

Vandenberg was one of two incumbents left on the City Council after this month’s election. Mayor Ron Chaney and Sawyer expect to select a replacement for him next week, possibly choosing from the candidates who did not win seats.

The mayor is charged with making appointments for vacant seats, but the council must confirm the selection. Vandenberg’s replacement will be named officially at the next council meeting, Dec. 18.

Vandenberg died at his parents’ home in Coeur d’Alene. A memorial service will be Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Coffelt’s Moon Chapel in Sandpoint.

“He’s a person that’s going to be missed, that’s for sure,” said Rich.

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