Clothier VanBoven, 95, Dies
Clothier VanBoven, 95, dies
By ARTHUR BRIDGEFORTH
NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Peter J. VanBoven Sr. was a successful haberdasher. He wasn’t a bad shortstop either.
VanBoven, founder of VanBoven Inc. men’s clothing store in Ann Arbor, died Sunday at the age of 95. He opened his first clothing store in 1921 in Ann Arbor and his second in Detroit in 1929. The Detroit store moved to Birmingham just a few years ago.
Although he loved the men’s clothing business, VanBoven’s first love was baseball He was a graduate of University of Michigan in 1921 and captain of the U-M baseball team that year.
It was the summer after graduation that VanBoven’s baseball prowess caught the eye of the Detroit Tigers, specifically one Ty Cobb.
Daughter Susan VanBoven-Orr said Cobb, the legendary Tiger slugger, invited her father to play for the Tigers’ farm team in Augusta, Ga., during the summer of 1921.
“He got a letter from Ty Cobb to try out and play in Augusta,” VanBoven- Orr said. That letter was one her father’s few keepsakes.
“He’s not a saver but he saved the letter from Ty Cobb,” VanBoven-Orr said.
After playing in Augusta, VanBoven got an offer to play for the Boston Red Sox, but he decided to stick with the clothing business because the future seemed more secure, VanBoven-Orr said. He stuck with it until just a few years ago, she said.
VanBoven spent at least an hour a day at his store during the last few years of his life. He loved talking with the customers and his friends at the store, his daughter said.
“He remained mentally sharp right up to the end,” VanBoven-Orr said.
VanBoven, who grew up in Grand Rapids, was a veteran of World War I and member of various organizations including the U-M M Club, Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity and the U-M President’s Club.
He is survived by his daughter; his son Peter J. VanBoven Jr. of Ann Arbor; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place and private memorial services will be scheduled at a later date. Memorial tributes may be made to the University of Michigan Turner Clinic, 1010 Wall St.