Eric Richard Van Vorst's Obituary
Eric Richard Van Vorst died May 26, 2024, in the company of his loving wife, Kristine, after a fiercely fought battle against Glioblastoma. Discovering that he had a brain tumor in October 2022, Eric was determined to find and receive every treatment option available. Eric’s quest for treatment took him from Gainesville, to North Carolina, and to Germany. Eric connected with practitioners, patients, and families all over the world as he kept moving forward in his Glioblastoma journey.
His fight was valiant, courageous, and relentless, and he shared his knowledge and passion with others diagnosed with Glioblastoma and their families. Eric approached his disease with unwavering hope, committed to find joy and live with purpose in every moment. Eric thrived with Glioblastoma. He lived boldly and loved life, finding that cancer gave he and his family many gifts—time, travel, precious moments, connections with others, deeper relationships. And through this journey, Eric was clear to know that only relationships and experiences matter.
Eric was born April 16, 1976 in Stuart, Florida to Robert Van Vorst and Joannie Van Vorst. Always a prankster in his younger years, Eric always found a way for humor and entertainment. Eric loved exploring the waterways of the Treasure Coast on his Boston Whaler. He explored the many islands and shallows, left untouched by others, in and around Ft. Pierce and the Indian River Lagoon.
Coming to Gainesville in 1997, Eric studied finance at the University of Florida and graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree, beginning a lifelong passion for finance and investing. Eric started his business, The Dent Guys, in college, which gave him much joy and success in his lifetime. Eric married Kristine, his high school sweetheart in 2000, and remained her soul mate, best friend, and most adoring supporter for their 24 years of marriage. Eric was a proud and devoted father to Ava, Olivia, and William, imparting so much wisdom for life and advice for their future. Eric never missed a moment of their lives, always present at their concerts, programs, or sporting events. Eric treasured his role as uncle and was honored to be a part of his nieces’ and nephew’s lives.
With his goldendoodle Mitchell by his side, Eric found so much joy in boating as an adult and continued his exploration in the waterways of St. Augustine, Lake George, and Lake Sante Fe. His dream was to own a monster sportfish, endeavoring to explore the expanse of the ocean traveling to the Caribbean and beyond. Eric was a lover of life, and found that his family, friends, and experiences brought him the most joy. Eric had a passion for travel, delicious meals, engaging conversations, and all types of music.
Eric is survived by his wife, Kristine; children, Ava, Olivia, and William; parents, Robert and Joannie Van Vorst; sister, Katie Gething (Dean); nieces, Mia Gething, Grace Gething, and Hazel Gething; father and mother in-law, Bill and Janice Jatczak; sister-in-law, Kathleen Caldwell (Michael); brother-in-law, John Jatczak; sister-in-law, Karen Blum (John); sister-in-law, Elizabeth Jatczak; nieces, Brianna Wiblishouser (Kyle), Emily Jatczak, Madeline Jatczak, and Abigail Jatczak. Eric is preceded in death by his nephew Alec Blum.
A Memorial Mass will be held Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 10:00AM at Queen of Peace Catholic Church 10900 SW 24th Ave. Gainesville, FL with Fr. Alberto Esposito as celebrant. A reception will follow. The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 5, 2024, from 4:30-6:30PM at Williams-Thomas Westarea, 823 NW 143rd St. Newberry, FL.
In memory of Eric, watch every sunset or sunrise you can, live a joyful life without regret, cherish and live in each moment. Please also consider learning about the work of Dr. Maryam Rahman and her colleagues at Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Florida, https://neurosurgery.ufl.edu/research/clinical-trials/.
You may make an online gift to the Eric Richard Van Vorst Brain Tumor Research Fund established in memory of Eric. https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/028603-eric-richard-van-vorst-brain-tumor-research-fund/.
You may also call a secure line to make a credit card donation by calling the University of Florida Foundation at 877-351-2377. Kindly mention the fund name.
To learn more about the research of Dr. Maryam Rahman and her colleagues at Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Florida, visit https://neurosurgery.ufl.edu/research/clinical-trials/. On behalf of Dr. Rahman, the Dept. of Neurosurgery, and the University of Florida, we thank you for honoring Eric, whose memory will forever be a part of our relentless quest to eradicate brain cancer
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