Thomas Scott Van Galder

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"Tim"

"TVG"

"Spider"

"Alfie"

On Wednesday, January 22, 2022, Thomas Scott Van Galder, passed away at the age of 77 at his home in St. Charles, Missouri.

Known simply by the initials TVG, 'Tim' was born May 26, 1944, in Racine, WI to Clark and Doris (Simonson) Van Galder. When Tim was 8, Clark was offered the head coaching position at Fresno State and Tim spent his elementary years surrounded by athletics in the Fresno State locker room. When he was 15, he moved back to Madison, Wisconsin, when his father was asked to be the assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin and quickly became a standout athlete at Madison West High School playing basketball, baseball, football, and wrestling. After high school, he went to New Mexico Military Institute before transferring to Iowa State. His athleticism on the football field and baseball diamond at ISU is still remembered today and earned the ultimate achievement bestowed upon his alma mater’s athletics department when it was announced he was a member of the six-person Class of 2015 Athletic Hall of Fame.

After college, he was drafted by the St. Louis Football Cardinals (now Arizona) in 1966. He played for two years in St. Louis before joining the Cincinnati Bengals in 1973 and then the New York Jets that year.  After his football career ended he came back to St. Louis to work at Channel Four where he spent 13 years as a sportscaster, bringing a refreshing new look to TV sports reporting, ditching the coat and tie behind the desk in favor of a cardigan in front of the camera, preferably live on location, even working a few NFL games with Bob Costas and Al Michaels.

He enjoyed his later years on the golf course with countless friends, supporting many local charities and the NFL alumni association. In his final years, he was proud to live within minutes of great friends like Mel Gray, Johnny Roland, and Jackie Smith.

When TVG entered a room, he quickly owned it with his authenticity and smile. Known for his quick wit and was always armed with a great joke or two that all-to-often left the room in stitches. A ladies man, larger than life personality, even trying his hand at restauranteering as the owner of "TVG's Mcgillicuddys" where he loved to hold court. He lived life to the fullest, he was always accessible, a great athlete, a scratch golfer, a great broadcaster, always laughing... but most of all, he was a wonderful guy.

Tim was preceded in death by his father, Clark, his mother, Doris "TuTu", and brothers Gary, Bob, and Don. He is survived by his brother Dick, and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, & friends. 

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent in his honor to Madison West High School, Iowa State University, or the American Cancer Society. Please contact tomvangalder@gmail.com or visit the 'Contact' page at www.timvangalder.com.