George Newell Vanderbilt died June 25, 2018, at his home in Springfield of pancreatic cancer.  He was born in Toledo, OH, on February 11, 1933, to Elsa (Molitor) and Charles Spencer Vanderbilt and grew up in Webster Groves, MO.  In 1950 he entered Drury College where he majored in Mathematics and graduated with honors in 1955.  He earned an MBA degree at Drury in 1972.  He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and served as its High Alpha.  After college he entered the US Navy officers' training program and served 3 ½ years' active duty and another 5 years in the Reserves.

At completion of his active service he returned to Springfield and was employed by Commerce (formerly Citizens') Bank as a teller, trust officer, and Assistant Vice-President of Data Processing.  He oversaw the transition into automatic data processing by main-frame computers and then to PC's.  After 18 years there he was employed at City Utilities where he was Manager of Computer Operations.  He retired in 1997.

Mr. Vanderbilt was active in community services.  He served on various Springfield city Boards:  Springfield Children's Home, City Traffic Advisory Board, and City Personnel Board.  He was a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels; a member of the local Habitat for Humanity Board, sponsored a family for housing and assisted with construction; and he volunteered at the local ACLU office until its closing.  He was a 50-year Red Cross blood and platelet donor.

In 1960 he married Judith Carr, who survives him, as do his daughters:  Helen Hamel (Ray) of Wellesley, MA; Sarah Vanderbilt of Springfield; and Rebecca Vanderbilt of Blanca, CO.  Six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also survive.  He was predeceased by his parents, his sisters Molly Weeks and Nancy Keyian, and his son, Terence E. Vanderbilt.

Final arrangements are in care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  Burial will be private at Maple Park Cemetery.  Donations to any of his favorite charitable organizations, described above, in lieu of flowers, would please George greatly.  His friends are invited to celebrate George's life at a reception at Hickory Hills Country Club on Tuesday, July 10, from 5:30 to 7:30pm.