John Vanderstoep

After graduation Dr Vanderstoep worked for just over a year at Penticton Regional Hospital/Agriculture Canada Research Station at Summerland, researching a frozen food service system, before returning to UBC to take a faculty position as an Assistant Professor in Food Science in August 1972. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1980. On faculty until July 2002, Dr Vanderstoep was a member of the Department of Food Science. He also served as Acting Head and Head from 1989-1998. In 1998 he was appointed as Associate Dean Academic in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and held that position until June 2001. During his career at UBC Dr Vanderstoep served on numerous faculty and university committees, including Senate, representing the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences from 1984-1999.

Dr Vanderstoep had a very active involvement in professional committees and associations. These included: the BC Food Technologists (Executive: 1973-79; President: 1977-1978); the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology (Executive: 1981-1985; President: 1983-1984); the Canada Committee on Food (Chair: 1989-2001); Canadian Agri-Food Research Council (member: 1984-present; Chair-Elect: 2002); Board of the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology Scholarship Trust Inc (member: 1993-present; President: 1998-present);and Council of Canadian University Food Science Administrators (member: 1989-1999; President: 1994-1999).

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology Dr Vanderstoep received the Institute Award in 1986 and was elected a Fellow in 1994. In recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of food science and technology internationally, he was elected a Fellow of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology in 1998.

In addition to his professional contributions, Dr Vanderstoep also served the community as Secretary of the Mission Board, Canadian Reformed Churches, Western Canada during 1973-1986; as a member of Council, Maranatha Canadian Reformed Church in Surrey, from 1974-1999; and as a member of the Board of Directors of Credo Christian High School, Langley, from 1985-1988.

Dr Vanderstoep retired from UBC in 2002. By then his association with UBC and the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences had spanned 40 years, interrupted by one year of employment elsewhere, right after completion of the PhD degree.

Some of the highlights of his distinguished career at UBC, include “reminiscences on tutelage I experienced under Drs Biely and March”, recalled Dr Vanderstoep. “Prof Biely was unique in his approach (maybe it was the time and how well he was respected within the university and internationally). As there were always chicks to be weighed, he “demanded” that we as undergraduates come and help. We would be paid, but when he gave us the cheques he always “wanted” part of the payment (as unsuspecting undergraduates we were not always sure how forcefully we could oppose him!). I think it is fair to say that I owe my career (at least the direction it took) to Prof Biely. When I thought that I had finished my undergraduate degree program (1965), he informed me that I was missing a course (Biochem, I think it was!). He said, “don’t worry, you can come back and take it next year, along with some other courses that you can use towards your Master’s degree!”. He also managed to get me an NSERC (NRC) Studentship, without my ever having applied for it! Talk about clout. The expectation that I would come back and take the missing course got me started on my way to doing the doctoral program. The latter was very much at the encouragement of my mentor and good friend, Jim Richards. We were able to enjoy (at least I did!!) the student-supervisor relationship, followed by that of being colleagues, administrative associates, and always good friends.”

Dr Vanderstoep and wife, Christina, reside in Surrey , BC , and they have two married sons and six grandchildren.

R Blair 2001