Laeman Vanderburg Obituary (1935 - 2010)

Laeman "Bruce" VanderBurg, loving Father, Grandfather and Husband, was born on June 1, 1935, in McAlester, Oklahoma. Born to Mr. and Mrs. Otis Lee VanderBurg. He lived an inspiring life! Bruce graduated from the University of Oklahoma, along with his fiance, Faith Diehl, who were later married, and had two children, Christopher David Lee and Cynthia Nicole. Bruce was an accomplished entrepreneur. He and his wife owned the Nirvana restaurants' in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Aspen Colorado, and the Talisman art galleries in Santa Fe. His passions were traveling, cooking, and a great love for music and the arts. His Faith was prominent in the way he lived his life by example, and he had a deep love and utter joy when it came to family and friends!!!!! Bruce will be deeply missed every day! An ever burning "Light" will continue on through all he touched. His passion for life, his adventurous spirit, the way he embarrassed all of life's twists and turns, and knowing without the unexpected, the true gifts in life's surprises would be missed, and he inspired everyone around him to live their life to the fullest by doing so. He loved purely! He never showed judgment and was a true example of forgiveness. He saw the positive in every day, every situation, and always looked at the best in everyone around him. It was a gift to have known him, and a gift to have seen life through such beautiful eyes! He is survived by his two daughters, Kimberlee VanderBurg of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and Cynthia Nicole VanderBurg Delaney, and his son in law, Bill Delaney, of Tucson, Arizona. He is also survived by three beautiful grandchildren, Dillon Connor Delaney (14), of Tucson, Arizona, Madison Nolen (14), of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and Chelsey Meyerholtz (23), of Huntingburg, Indiana. He is preceded by his wife, Faith Eileen Diehl VanderBurg, his son, Christopher David Lee VanderBurg, and Mother and Father, Mr. and Mrs. Otis Lee VanderBurg. Only a couple of days ago, I held his hand in mine. A gesture of a moment, he reached out to me in such a loving way, as he so often did. His reach was often a gesture of joining him to enjoy music that touched his heart, a sunset that took his breath away, a rose with that "oh sooo", beautiful color or sent, or to share in side splitting laughter, or holding my hand during a movie that brought a tear to his eyes! He believed everyday should be taken in as the "One of a Kind Day", just like it was designed to be! He lived it! None of my Birthdays or Anniversaries (or anyone else's - even those he barely knew), ever went without that special touch. He believed the emotions of life fed us! For, without the lows, the highs, life wouldn't be so sweet! I remember as a little girl, him always encouraging me! He would say, "It's o.k. to be afraid"! "It's o.k. to fail"! "But, it's never o.k. to not try though"! He wanted me to live! To experience life as few do. He supported each interest, each trial, each goal, each accomplishment! He was always there to pick me up, or celebrate the achievement! He went on to set the same loving, supportive example to his son in law, Bill Delaney, and our beautiful son, Dillon Delaney. He and Dillon shared his love for music, and art. He would often treat his grandson to a day out for lunch. Always taking in a new restaurant, and often trying half the menu! lol! It was all about the experience of life! Life is too short he would say! Live for today! He loved his son in law, my husband, Bill. Many a time recommending he watch his grandson, while encouraging our time as a couple. "You and Bill go to a movie, stay out late, and go somewhere after, lay on the car roof, and watch the stars together!", he would say. He loved seeing others happy and full! He also said "I could not have found a better son in law if I tried"! He loved us all to "FULL"! Living through his eyes meant not missing the details! He gifted my life with a special touch. He soared in life, and will forever be soaring within our memories & in the music and the lives he so loved!!! I will miss his every loving moment! He was truly a "One of a Kind Dad", just like he was designed to be!!!! God has blessed my life forever through my Dad, Bruce VanderBurg! I love you with all that I am, Dad! Your Nicole Nicole (aka - Pockets) - Cynthia Delaney From Kimberlee VanderBurg: I was not lucky enough to have spent much time with my Father, but the time I did spend with him was memorable. Maybe it was his passion, or his generous soul. Maybe it was his artistic flare or maybe it was his overall positive outlook on life. He was all of those things and much more. I will be eternally grateful to my Father for the positive attributes I inherited from him. He was a unique, caring, very special person . He was loved and will be missed. His passing is bittersweet. It is a time of mourning and sorrow for our loss, but also a time of great joy for the reuniting of sisters and their families. I know he is looking down at us and smiling. Your Loving Daughter, Kimberlee A. Vanderburg