ROCKPORT, Massachusetts (17 Aug 2005) -- Friends and family described Stephen VanDerwerken as an active Rockport businessman and outspoken community member, a man who put his family and friends first and devoted his life to the waterfront community he called home for almost 20 years. They also said VanDerwerken enjoyed trying new things. He loved the water, and scuba diving was his latest adventure. VanDerwerken, 53, died Tuesday morning while scuba diving alone off Front Beach in Rockport, just a short distance from the Sunrise Grill, a restaurant he owned. The cause of his death will not be determined until autopsy results are released, which are expected within the next few days, said Sergeant Tony Hilliard of the Rockport Police Department. Yesterday, members of the tight-knit North Shore community were trying to understand how the tragedy happened. ''Hopefully, they'll find something when they do the autopsy that there's a reason for this," said Jim Doyle, 48, an area business owner and friend of the VanDerwerken family. ''I don't want to see that this was an accident that could have been taken care of or that he should have gone out with someone else." At 10:16 a.m. Tuesday, VanDerwerken was scuba diving near Front Beach when a lifeguard reported a possible diver in distress. "The lifeguard thought he heard a gurgling sound," Hilliard said. ''He saw the diver on his backside, and he heard a yell for help." The lifeguard swam out to where he had seen the diver, but was unable to find him because of the sun's glare. A construction worker who was nearby had a mask and goggles and swam out, finding VanDerwerken in water about 6 feet deep. The worker and the lifeguard brought VanDerwerken to shore and administered CPR, Hilliard said. Rockport Harbormaster Rosemary Lesch also arrived at the scene. She and a second harbormaster continued CPR. | | ''We didn't realize it was him until 20 minutes after he was ashore. We were so focused on who we were going to save," Lesch said. ''It just took my breath away, it was very difficult." VanDerwerken never regained consciousness. He was transported to Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester and was pronounced dead at 11:42 a.m. People in Rockport described VanDerwerken, an active member of the Friends of Rockport Athletics and owner of the bed and breakfast Lantana House, as a fixture at local basketball games. He also sold concessions at community soccer games and coached girls' and boys' soccer. ''We spent many nights sitting on his porch of the Lantana House watching tourists go by," said Larry Osier, 53, a longtime friend. ''It's a nice place to sit and enjoy a warm summer's evening. All the things you kind of take for granted, you begin to lose those when you lose someone who's close." VanDerwerken was also the last president of the Rockport Chamber of Commerce, which merged with the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce in April. VanDerwerken opposed the merger but accepted it gracefully, said Michael Costello, executive director of the Cape Ann Chamber. ''There weren't many grays with Steve," Costello said. ''He had strong opinions, and he expressed them. You always knew where you stood with Steve because he'd tell you. He took some people aback with his frankness, but it was something you had to respect." VanDerwerken had five children. His son Nicholas, 23, said his father had a huge heart and stood up for everything he believed in. ''He was an incredible man, an amazing father that always put his family first," said Nicholas VanDerwerken. ''He took turns taking his sons and daughters to different countries. He took his oldest son to Italy, his middle son to Greece, his youngest son to Ireland, and his youngest daughter to France." ''He was never afraid to try anything once," he added. |
