In Memoriam

    We dedicate this page to the memory of two of our serving Board Members who left us so suddenly and long before their time in September 2008.  Both of these wonderful and kind-hearted gentlemen will be greatly missed by us all. Gordon L. Rist passed away on September 7, 2008 at the age of 69 at his home in Naples, Florida. Dr. James A. Van Fleet passed away on September 26, 2008 at the age of 68 at his home in Naples, Florida.

Gordon L. Rist, GSCC Director 2008

Gordon retired to Naples in 2005 and pursued many hobbies including tennis, fishing, bridge and genealogical research.  He soon became an active GSCC volunteer after joining the Society in 2006 and was elected last December to serve a three-year director term on the Board.  Gordon eagerly volunteered his time and energy to help the Society, including working as an Inspector in both the January 29^th and August 26^th elections in our Adopt-a-Precinct project, and he had agreed to be trained as an alternate for the November 4^th Presidential election.  Gordon is survived by his wife Penny, and their five children and their families. He will be deeply missed by us all. A memorial service was held at Fuller Funeral Home on September 16^th.  The family requested that any donations made in Gordon’s memory be directed to the Genealogical Society of Collier County at P.O. Box 7933, Naples, Florida 34101.

A memorial fund to honor Gordon’s memory has been established by the Board of Directors.  The Genealogical Society of Collier County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to education.  Donations, gifts and bequests are tax-deductible. EIN #26-0460332

Dr. James A. Van Fleet, GSCC Director 2007-2008

Dr. James A. Van Fleet “Jim”,  retired to Naples and became involved in many civic and community activities including leadership rolls in the County Productivity Committee, Collier County Foreign Relations Council, Collier County Hispanic Advisory Board, Collier County School District Blue Ribbon Committee and Genealogical Society of Collier County.   Jim was also an active member in the Son’s of the American Revolution, and in addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the Genealogical Society of Collier County; he was a contributing editor to the Society’s Heirloom Newsletter.

     Jim’s love of history and genealogy was recognized by everyone who knew him, or who enjoyed his many newsletter articles and fascinating programs.  Jim was finishing the second year of his three year term on the Board and was scheduled to present the GSCC’s November Program titled, “What Makes You an American? The Trivia of Being Who We Are.”   Jim will be greatly missed and fondly remembered for his talented writing style, along with his tongue-in-cheek humor, which made us all smile.