In Memoriam: Remembering John Van Laar

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In Memoriam: Remembering John Van Laar

12 Dec 2023

Joanie Spencer

Since 2008, Joanie Spencer has covered the retail and wholesale sides of the baking industry.
Serving associations such as the American Society of Baking (ASB) and BEMA, Joanie is also in demand as an industry presenter on bakery operations and trends. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Rockhurst University and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.

When she’s not running or playing soccer, Joanie spends her time with her husband and 11-year-old son.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — John Van Laar, 91, passed away Dec. 9. He was born in Holland, MI, and spent his formative years in Michigan and Massachusetts.

Van Laar attended Calvin University for a short time before joining the Air Force and discovering his love for flying and all things mechanical. After his military service, he planned to become a commercial pilot with United Airlines. While waiting for the opportunity, he took a temporary position as a private pilot for Werner Lehara, a bakery manufacturing company in Grand Rapids, MI. Through his months of flying with the owner, Van Laar learned the ins and outs of the bakery manufacturing industry and discovered he had talent for business, working with people and making deals. He remained with Werner Lehara — which later became APV Baker and then Baker Perkins — for 41 years, eventually becoming president and CEO.

Van Laar served numerous boards and committees in his personal and professional life, including serving as board chair for BEMA from 1996-97.

“BEMA’s board of directors, past chairman and members are grateful for John’s time on the board and his service to BEMA,” said Kerwin Brown, BEMA president and CEO. “His BEMA friends describe him as the consummate gentleman, who loved the industry and told great stories.”

After retiring from Baker Perkins in 1998, Van Laar worked as a consultant in the bakery engineering industry well into his 80s.

A devoted Christian, he lived a life of gratitude for what he called “an extraordinary life of an ordinary guy.” Having a sharp mind up until his death, he loved telling stories ranging from his childhood friendships to his business deals. To capture those memories, he wrote an autobiography titled My First 80 Years.

Van Laar was preceded in death by his parents Lambertus and Sadie (Boermans) Van Laar, grandson Brian Brockette, sister Myrtle Van Laar, and wife Barbara (Hoeksema). He will be lovingly remembered by his children Jim Van Laar, Joan Brockette, David (Keri) Van Laar, Dan (Julie) Van Laar, and their mother Cheryl Dalton; daughter Lynn (Jerry) Sytsma; 15 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Jan (Hopkins) Hoeksema, nephew Matt (Lynn) Hoeksema, niece Jennifer (Erik) Cliff, and special companion Marian Baker.

A celebration of life service will be held Thursday, Dec. 21, at Cascade Fellowship CRC, 6655 Cascade Rd. SE, in Grand Rapids with a one-hour visitation beginning at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial contributions to World Renew or the Calvin Christian Reformed Church Family Assistance Program.

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