On Saturday, June 18, the historic panel depicting scenes of Magnolia’s past was unveiled in its permanent position along McGraw Street, outside the former offices of real estate broker and community leader Arthur Van der Wel.
It’s a fitting final place for the panel to be located. For like so many other activities, events and organizations, the panel probably wouldn’t have been completed without the benevolent behind-the-scenes help of Van der Wel.
The Magnolia community remains in mourning following the news that Van der Wel passed away June 13 after a brief bout with cancer. He had been diagnosed with an aggressive Glioblastoma brain tumor only five months before. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends.
A native of Seattle, Van der Wel was born Sept. 27, 1946, the son of John and Georgianna Trudeau Van der Wel. He attended Queen Anne High School where he played varsity football and baseball, graduating in 1965. Early in his life he had found that he had a genius for real estate. At the age of 18 his parents co-signed a document so the young entrepreneur could buy five-acre parcel of land on Vashon Island that he later traded for income property. Two years after his graduation from high school Van der Wel earned his real estate license in 1967 and promptly bought his first Magnolia home.
In 1975, he set up an office in Magnolia Village and he remained there for the next 36 years.
Van der Wel had a natural knack for the business of real estate and by 1984 his Quorum Real Estate operation had grown to five offices and nearly 300 employees.
But he grew tired of managing as opposed to selling and jumped at an offer 1994 from the Windermere real estate organization to sell his Magnolia and Queen Anne offices. According to a profile of Van der Wel, published in the News in 2003 on the occasion of his being named the 2002 Magnolia businessperson of the year, he is described as really enjoying the real estate process. It was his hobby and his life.
Real estate was even part of his interior design. Hanging on his office wall were two Monopoly game cards, Boardwalk and Park Place, blown up to poster size and framed.
But above all, he was a people person. He enjoyed nothing better than meeting new people and getting to know them.
“Real estate was his hobby and his livelihood. He just loved it,” said his former wife, Nancy. “He loved helping people and he loved being a mentor to younger agents.”
Even though the two had been divorced for about 25 years, Nancy remained close to her former high school sweetheart right up to the end.
“He was still my best friend,” Nancy said. “He was always there for me when I needed him.”
Despite his business successes, Van der Wel will best be remembered for his generous nature and love of helping others. If there was a project that needed help or a charity in trouble, Van der Wel would come to the rescue. And he most often gave to causes anonymously.
"I can't sit at home and have people call me and not be able to help," he was quoted in the 2003 profile. "I like helping other people."
Known as the “Mayor of Magnolia,” Van der Wel became famous for his philanthropic work with the Chamber of Commerce and the Moyer Foundation. He helped Queen Anne Helpline, scout troops, Magnolia’s Little League, and even spent a number of years being the “Santa” for the annual Magnolia Holiday Open House.
He was instrumental in the renovation of Magnolia Village. He not only financially supported the beautification of the Village, but he spent a considerable amount of his own time to help incorporate the changes into the city›s Magnolia Plan, allowing the village to apply for grants to further revitalize the area.
On a personal level, he was always eager to give to a cause or spend time with someone over a cup of coffee.
"He loved Queen Anne and Magnolia," said longtime friend Chuck Dagg. "If people needed something for the community, Art was always there. But he didn't want people to know about it. He liked being a silent partner with the community. In my opinion, a lot of what Magnolia Village is today is because of Art."
He is also remembered as one of those unique fun-loving individuals that makes the people around them better. Friends describe a happy man who loved a Seattle Mariners game or a Thunderbird Hockey match and always enjoyed traveling with friends to any place sunny.
"He just loved life," Dagg said. "He was one of those people that you just enjoyed being with. He was so much fun and so positive. He enhanced anyone›s life who was around him."
Van der Wel is survived by his daughter, Andre and her children Sebastian and Elektra; his son, Joby, and Joby’s children, Jessica and Kristi; his longtime companion Marcia Steel; his brother John; his former wife, Nancy; as well as many cousins and other relatives.
A Celebration of Art’s Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 27, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 3218 West Barrett in Magnolia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Moyer Foundation, 2426 32nd Ave. W., Seattle, WA 98199.
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