Donald Kim Van Galder

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"Brownie"

"BVG"

"Whale"

On Sunday, October 20, 2019, Donald Kim Van Galder, husband and father of two children, passed away at the age of 68.

Brownie, a nickname born from his brown eyes and brown hair, was born on April 12, 1951, in Racine, WI to Clark and Doris (Simonson) Van Galder. Within a year, Clark was offered the head coaching position at Fresno State and Brownie grew up as a toddler surrounded by athletics in the Fresno State locker room. When he was 8, he moved back to Wisconsin, when his father was asked to be the assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin. Six years later, his father tragically passed away when he was 14, and he moved back to Fresno to attend high school and live with his older brother, Bob, and wife, Nancy. 

He quickly went from the new kid on the block in Fresno to star quarterback at Fresno High, a performance which earned him an induction to Fresno High's Wall of Champions, and the nickname from his high-school coach of the 'brown-whale" for his long slender stature. He was heavily recruited and eventually decided to attend the University of Utah and play for the Utes, later recognized as one of the Top 10 QBs. He received his degree from the U in Salt Lake in 1974. He aspired to follow in his brother Tim's footsteps, and play professional football. He was drafted to the Washington Redskins in the 1974 NFL draft. Rather than wait it out on the bench, he instead chose to join the newly created World Football League, as a Quarterback for the Portland Storm. When the short-lived WFL folded midway through its second season, he moved back to Fresno where he enjoyed many years of service as a teacher, coach, and sports official.

As an educator, he never shied away from a tough assignment and enjoyed impacting the lives of those in the Fresno community. This extended into athletics, as he contributed for many years in support of the Fresno High School football program and athletic department. In more ways than one, he embodied many of the core attributes of what it meant to be a "Warrior". Brownie chose to live life at full throttle and was always present in the moment. He lived fast, loved hard, and never missed an opportunity for a pick-up game.

As a father, he was always giving, thinking of his children well before himself. He loved his kids, and in his later years, doted on his dogs, his grandchildren, Lucy & Clara, and step-grandchild, Joyner. As an official, he believed in letting them play basketball, calling fewer fouls than most; in baseball & softball, he believed in quicker games, with a smaller strike zone  (especially in the central valley heat); as for football, he was always ready for the QBs long ball and relished in the chance to outrun a high school receiver. As a coach and teacher, he believed in tough love and telling you how it was, instead of sugar coating. He was a self-proclaimed 'fruitcake' from Jimmy Buffett's album and never took himself too seriously. Technology was never a forte, but it's absence helped him live in the present. He is a great reminder to us all in today's fast-paced world, to live in the moment and share our love for one another as often as possible.

Brownie was preceded in death by his father, Clark, his mother, Doris "TuTu", and brother Gary. He is survived by his wife Jeanne, two children, Tommy & Dana, grandchildren,  Lucy & Clara, his brothers Bob, Dick, & Tim, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, & friends. 

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent in his honor to Fresno High School, the American Cancer Society or as a legacy gift to the "Brownie" scholarship fund. Please contact tomvangalder@gmail.com or visit the 'Contact' page at www.brownievangalder.com.