Longtime resident Paul Van der Grift, mentor to youth, dies at 63

Paul Joseph Van der Grift, a longtime Palm Beach resident and mentor to hundreds of young people, died from complications of encephalitis on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, surrounded by his family.

He was 63 years old and the husband of Joanie Van der Grift.

Born March 18, 1958 in Winter Garden, he was the youngest of the five children of Donald and Margaret Van der Grift.

His father was a soil conservation specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and moved his family frequently around the state as his job demanded.

Mr. Van der Grift's mother was a real estate agent and a volunteer nurse.

He spent his youth raising cows for 4-H, riding horses and minibikes, camping, fishing and playing all sports, excelling particularly at basketball.

He was a 1981 graduate of Florida State University, where he earned bachelors degree in international affairs with a minor in social work. His social work experience included work in elder care, grief and crisis counseling.

Mr. Van der Grift had a deep appreciation for the arts, especially theater and film, and in 1990 he graduated from New York University’s Film Intensive Program.

He founded Thunderhead Productions, Inc., and produced, directed and wrote documentaries on Muhammed Ali, Mikhail Gorbachev, Desmond Tutu, Maya Angelou, Althea Gibson and Billie Jean King.

He devoted his time to many causes and charities, but none was closer to his heart than First Serve, where he was president of the board. First Serve is a nonprofit that equips and trains outstanding high school students to mentor children in their own communities.

Ruth Alixe, one of the First Serve students, said “Coach Paul was more than just a mentor. He was someone I could always count on when needed. What I didn’t see in me, Paul did. He saw a light in me that I didn’t realize I had. He worked tirelessly to make sure that First Serve kids like me had the resources to succeed. Without his love and support, college would have just been a dream.”

Mr. Van der Grift was a member of the Bath and Tennis, Everglades and Sailfish clubs, and was a director and member of the Palm Beach Civic Association.

In Maine, he was member of the Northeast Harbor Tennis and Swim Club, the Northeast Harbor Golf Club, and the Pot and Kettle Club.

In addition to his wife of 35 years, Mr. Van der Grift is survived by children, Fritz and Mimi; his stepdaughter, Alexis; grandchildren Elliott, Fritzie, Isabella and Gordie; his daughter-in-law Judy and his son-in-law John; and his four siblings.

A memorial Service will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at First Presbyterian Church, 717 Prosperity Farms Road, North Palm Beach.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Serve at www.firstserveusa.org or by mail to First Serve, PO Box 1353, West Palm Beach, FL 33402.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Paul Van der Grift was a family man and advocate for social justice