Martin "Marty" A. Vander Weit

“No tears, only cheers for a life so beautifully lived”

Marty Vander Weit came into this world on March 15, 1944. After a short battle with cancer, he ended his fight on July 30, 2022. Papa (as he was known by his grandchildren) will always be looking down on us. As he would say, “Just smile. I had a great life with my family and friends for 78 years.”

Papa is survived by Lynda, his loving wife of 54 years; sons Erik (Jen), Dan (Whitney), Scott (Brooke) and his seven adoring grandchildren Mason, Ava, Charlie, Quinn, Paige, Trey, and Cole; sister Margie (Bill), brothers Billy (Diane), Bob (Marsha), brother-in-law Howard (Barbara), and sister-in-law, Bubbles.

Despite having lost his left arm in a childhood accident, Marty amazed everyone with his many skills. He could do most things better than people with two arms. Golfing and skiing were Marty’s greatest passions. For many years he spent two days a week at Swan Hills Golf Course with his unforgettable golf buddies, Jim, Ron, Mark, Bill, Noel, and Dave. Marty had a huge heart and was a loving and caring person to all. He greatly enjoyed skiing with his family in the mountains of Vail, Colorado, where he and his family vacationed every eight weeks. In addition to golfing and skiing, Marty could be found fixing just about anything, and if not fixing things you could find him in the garden. He was known as “Mr. Fix It” by all.

Marty met his wife Lynda at the University of Illinois in Champaign, where they attended college. Marty attended the College of Engineering, where he received his master’s degree in mechanical engineering, along with his professional engineering degree. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. After college, Marty and Lynda settled in Rockford where they raised their family and where Marty worked as a mechanical design engineer at Ingersoll for 45 years.

A celebration of life will be held at Swan Hills Golf Course, 2600 Gustafson Road in Belvidere on August 21st from 3pm - 7pm. Memorials may be made to Northern Illinois Hospice. Please share memories and condolences online.