William Van Der Giessen was elected to the position of Emeritus Trustee by the Catawba Island Historical Society’s Governing Board of Trustees. (Submitted photo)

CATAWBA ISLAND – Local builder and multifaceted entrepreneur, William Van Der Giessen, has been elected by the Catawba Island Historical Society’s (CIHS) Governing Board of Trustees to the position of Emeritus Trustee.

“Emeritus Trustee is an honorary title bestowed upon former CIHS board members who have completed their active service with distinction,” said David Wonnell, President of the Society’s governing board. “It is a lifetime, nonvoting, nonfiduciary role granted to reflect exceptional contributions. Emeritus Trustees may attend board meetings as observers, allowing the Society to retain their wisdom, prestige, and institutional knowledge. It is a title reflecting gratitude for exemplary leadership and vision.”

Van Der Giessen was among the small group of area residents who birthed the idea of creating a Catawba Island Historical Society in 2016. This early planning discussion took place in the red schoolhouse replica at the junction of SR 53 and School House Rd. A follow-up gathering in the Don and JoAnn Rhodes log cabin on East Porter St. was arranged shortly thereafter. Don Rhodes – remembered as Catawba Island’s preeminent “picker” – agreed at that time to contribute many of his collected antiques to form the nucleus of a Catawba History Museum.

The Catawba Island Historical Society was legally established in January, 2017, with Van Der Giessen as its first vice president. He played a crucial role in negotiations with the Catawba Island Township Trustees to structure the CIHS lease of Union Chapel – owned by the township – for preserving, protecting, and displaying the Rhodes’ artifacts. He also oversaw renovations at the Chapel performed by the township with $50,000 that local government had earmarked for that purpose.

“We never would have gotten the renovation job completed and been able to open the museum as we did in June, 2018, had it not been for Bill being a liaison between the township, CIHS, and the many subcontractors responsible for different parts of the project,” said Craig Koerpel, founding president of the Historical Society. “It was his own extensive experience as a builder/contractor that enabled him to shepherd the job to its successful conclusion in only nine months.”

Van Der Giessen was born in Harvey, Illinois, in 1938, but moved frequently as the location of his father’s employment changed from Illinois to Alabama to Massachusetts to Maryland and back to Illinois again. He even spent part of his youth residing in Caracas, Venezuela, when his father worked for an oil exploration company.

Following graduation from high school in Glen Park, Indiana, he entered the U.S. Navy where he trained as an electronic technician. Skills acquired in the military led to subsequent civilian employment with Inland Steel Company and Air Reduction Company. By age 27, he had become the youngest plant superintendent in the Air Reduction Company’s organization.

“Two life-changing events occurred in my early 30’s,” Van Der Giessen said. “I met and married Darleen, my wife and best friend of nearly 58 years, and I left Airco to follow a career path that ultimately led me to Ohio. We moved to Catawba Island in 1972, where I began nearly three decades of acquiring, merging, and reorganizing a variety of manufacturing businesses.”

At 61, a new set of interests emerged. Van Der Giessen became a restaurateur. The list of local establishments he has owned and operated includes the Nor’Easter Club, His Majesty’s Feast at the Armory, 1812 Food and Spirits, and Rosies Bar & Grill. Concurrently, he established himself as a real estate developer and luxury home builder, a marina operator, and developer of commercial properties like the Day Care Center and Woody’s Buildings on Christy Chapel Rd.

“But Bill’s greatest contribution to the Catawba community has been his civic service,” Wonnell said. “In addition to being one of the founders of the Catawba Island Historical Society, he spent 15 years as president of the Ottawa County Board of Health, is a member of the Port Clinton Architectural Control Board, and serves as vice president of the Catawba Cliffs Association, where he lives in a restored century-old home overlooking Lake Erie.”

Catawba Island Historical Society is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation that was created to preserve and protect the area’s lake shore heritage. It operates with guidance from a 13-member Governing Board of Trustees. CIHS operates Catawba Museum at Union Chapel, which is funded by approximately 350 dues-paying members. There is no admission charge to visit. More information can be found online at www.catawbaislandhistoricalsociety.com.