Zeeland has announced the death of longtime public servant and city manager Tim Klunder.
Klunder, who accepted the role in 2002, died in the early morning hours of July 27. He recently went on medical leave after five years of fighting stage-four melanoma.
“Zeeland has been forever shaped by (his) vision, strengthened by his leadership and enriched by his character,” a statement posted to social media reads. “His legacy will live on in the city he loved and in the people who were privileged to know him. He will be so deeply missed.”
Zeeland hosted a celebration of Klunder on July 8, with tributes from state and federal government representatives, remarks from local officials and the presentation of a tree that will be planted in his honor at Zeeland City Hall.
“Tim has felt the ‘zeel’ every single day,” said Lakeshore Advantage President Jennifer Owens on July 8. “Long before it was a logo, you showed us what it looks like to lead with a calm heart and sometimes dirty hands. You showed us what it’s like to hold a demanding job for decades and still choose joy.”
Klunder closed the event with some carefully chosen words of his own.
“This city is special — please don’t change its core,” he said. “That doesn’t mean don’t change. I think we made a lot of nice changes over the years. I’m proud of them. I hope you all are, as well. Just keep those roots.”
In a release, officials noted highlights of his tenure as city manager, including strengthening neighborhoods, enhancing parks and public spaces, revitalizing downtown, expanding public safety services, investing in infrastructure and providing a high level of service to residents.
“He led with humility, treated every person with dignity, and cared deeply about this city and the people who call it home,” wrote Mayor Richard VanDorp III. “Zeeland is stronger because of his leadership, and generations to come will benefit from the foundation he helped build.”
VanDorp has ordered the city’s flags be flown at half-staff from the evening of July 28 through the evening of July 31.
According to his obituary, Klunder was born Feb. 19, 1969, in Grand Rapids. He was raised in Byron Center before earning degrees from Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Grand Valley State University and Western Michigan University.
He began his municipal career as an assistant in the city manager’s office in Huber Heights, Ohio, before becoming city manager in Scottville, Algonac and finally Zeeland.
Klunder was a member of Faith Church. According to his obituary, his “most beloved and important role” was as a husband, father and grandfather.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 1 p.m. July 31 at Faith Church, 220 W. Central Ave. in Zeeland. A visitation will take place 5-8 p.m. July 30 in the Hoogland Room of the Howard Miller Community Center, 14 S. Church St.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation or Faith Hospice.
— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Zeeland announces death of longtime city manager Tim Klunder
Reporting by Mitchell Boatman, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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By Mitchell Boatman, Holland Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
