Distinguished Alumnus
Class of 2024

Ronald G. Vyverberg

AHS Class of 1962

Ron Vyverberg’s achievements as a student athlete, teacher, coach, businessman and community leader are impressive, but likely none are more influential and enduring than his life’s work in music.

Ronald Glen Vyverberg, second son of William P. and Virginia Rutger Vyverberg, was born January 18, 1944, in Dubuque, Iowa. His mother shared her musical talents with her young sons, Ronnie and Bob, who sang on a Dubuque radio station when Ron was just five years old. In 1953, the family relocated to Arcola, where they opened Vyverberg’s Store in downtown Arcola. Ron soon began piano lessons and then played trumpet in the fifth grade band. He excelled in 7th and 8th grade sports, competing in state basketball tournaments, state track competitions in both the broad jump and 100-yard dash, and setting a 1958 state record in the heavyweight 400-yard relay with his teammates.

Ron was a standout at Arcola High School, excelling in both music and athletics. He played trumpet in Band and Dance Band and sang with the Chorus, earning superior ratings at contest each year. Ron received the class Arion Award, sang in his senior class musical, was a member of Band Cabinet and held offices in Chorus, Band and Modern Music Masters. While in high school, he also played trumpet and sang with the adult choir at the Arcola Methodist Church. As an athlete, Ron earned twelve varsity letters in football, basketball and track. He was named to the Okaw Valley All-Conference and All-Area teams in football, and received honorable mention Okaw Valley All-Star recognition in basketball. In track, Ron set the school broad jump record his junior year at 22’ 8.25”, a record that stands at AHS sixty-three years later. He qualified for state track competition in broad jump both his junior and senior years and set his personal best time in the 100-yard dash at state his senior year. Additionally, Ron was a Lettermen’s Club officer and member of National Honor Society, Pep Club and Arco-Lite.

Following his 1962 high school graduation, Ron continued his education at Illinois Wesleyan University, where he lettered in football as a halfback his freshman year before breaking his collarbone. He was co-captain of the Titan Trackmen, lettering all four years as a sprinter, long jumper and triple jumper. Prior to his senior year, Ron and Beth Hull were married June 26, 1965 in Arcola. He graduated IWU in 1966 with a BA degree in Music Education.

In the fall of 1966, the young graduate was hired at Gibson City High School, where he would first teach general music, then Band and coach for the next fifteen years. The GCHS band director was also head golf coach and assistant football and basketball coach, with the basketball team reaching the Elite 8 in 1972. Ron continued his music ministry at Gibson City United Methodist Church, where he directed and sang with the church choir. He also directed community band summer concerts in the Gibson City park for ten years.

The Vyverbergs made Arcola their home again in 1981 when they became new owners and operators of Vyverberg’s Store. Again, Ron was able to share his talents with the Arcola United Methodist Church. He became Senior Choir director in the fall of 1982 and the highly respected leader continues to share his music with his church family forty-two years later. He often accompanies with trumpet solos, leads a brass choir and sings for church services. Additionally, Ron has served on Todd Trust and Worship Committees and is a member of United Methodist Men.

In the Arcola community, Ron is former president of Arcola Chamber of Commerce and additionally served on the Chamber’s board of directors and tourism committee. He also sat on the city’s TIF board. Ron was 2003-2004 Arcola Lions Club President, 2001 Lion of the Year and directed the annual Lions Club Variety Show chorus for many years. In 1982, he organized and coached Arcola Summer Recreation’s first swim team and served Arcola’s youth in that role for ten years. In recognition of their decades of committed work in the Arcola community, Ron and Beth Vyverberg were honored as Broom Corn Festival Grand Marshals in 2011 and were also named 2019 Arcola Rotary Citizens of the Year.

Ron shares his musical life with the young oboe player he admired while in 8th grade band. Ron Vyverberg and Beth Hull were high school sweethearts who married June 26, 1965, in the Arcola Methodist Church. Their daughters, Juli and Jennifer, were born in 1969 and 1971 while Ron and Beth were both teaching at Gibson City High School. Through the decades, they have shared their passion for music with their daughters, sons-in-law and five grandchildren. In Arcola, they worked closely together at Vyverberg’s Store for thirty-seven years, still volunteer their time jointly in the Arcola community and after more than forty years, continue their music ministry together in the Arcola United Methodist Church. The partners in music, business and life were able to close the doors at Vyverberg’s Store in 2018, allowing them to share more time with their family and friends.