For decades, William Vander Vliet, MD devoted his life to caring for others and strengthening the Holland community he loved. During his long medical career, he served as President of the Ottawa County Medical Society and, at Holland Hospital, as Chief of Staff, a member of the Board of Directors, and for 10 years as Vice President of Medical Affairs. His commitment to service extended far beyond the hospital, touching other community organizations.
Together, Bill and Rita Vander Vliet built a life marked by generosity, hospitality, and deep relationships. Rita shared Bill’s heart for service, first as a teacher, and later through years of volunteer work with local organizations. She had a special gift for investing in others, whether in the classroom or through the many relationships she nurtured in the community.
Because Holland Hospital was such an important part of Bill and Rita’s life story, it was only natural for their generosity to become part of its future as well. They made Holland Hospital a beneficiary in their estate plan and chose to extend their legacy of compassion and service beyond their lifetimes, ensuring that others in this community will continue to receive exceptional care close to home.
That deep-seated commitment to caring for others left a lasting impression on their family. Reflecting on their parents’ legacy, daughters Bethany Mulder and Rebecca Kuipers shared:
“Our parents believed that giving was both a privilege and a responsibility. Their faith inspired them to care for others, and they were deeply thankful for the blessings they had received in life. Because they were fortunate enough to be able to give, they supported causes that improved the lives of others, including Holland Hospital, a special place to our family, and the community it supports.”
Bill and Rita’s gift reflects the values that guided their entire lives—faith, humility, love for others, and a steadfast commitment to building a stronger community for generations to come.
Leaving a Legacy
Donors leave legacy gifts for a mix of reasons. They wish to leave a lasting impact, their personal values align with an organization’s mission, they desire to help future generations, they are grateful for a service or organization, they wish to honor or memorialize someone, or they want to balance family with charitable goals.
“People are busy raising families or having demanding careers and can’t necessarily make an impactful gift to a charity during their lifetimes, but with a little planning, they can do it later on,’ says Abby Reeg, Holland Hospital Fund Development Executive Director. “A legacy gift allows donors to support the people and causes they care about while potentially providing significant estate-planning and tax benefits for their family and estate.”
There are three main ways to leave a legacy gift to Holland Hospital:
- Bequest - Include one or more charities in your will or trust.
- Beneficiary designation – Name Holland Hospital as a beneficiary in your retirement plan, insurance policy, or donor-advised fund.
- Non-cash assets - Real estate or appreciated securities.
Donors wishing to leave a legacy gift to Holland Hospital are invited to join the Holland Hospital Legacy Society.
August is Make-A-Will Month, the perfect time to create, review, or update your personal legal documents. Estate plans are important for people of all ages and income levels. An updated plan protects you and your loved ones from unnecessary stress and cost during a difficult time. And estate plans are a powerful way to leave a legacy gift to a charity that is important to you.