Wade Van Valkenburg (January 16, 1899November 20, 1985) was a Republican politician from Michigan who served as the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives and as a local judge.

Born in Tipton on January 16, 1899, Van Valkenburg graduated from the University of Michigan and from the then-Detroit College of Law. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War I.

Wade Van Valkenburg

After losing in the primary election in 1944, Van Valkenburg was elected to represent the 1st Kalamazoo district in the State House in 1946 and served until 1956. He was elected Speaker of the House for his final four years.

Wade Van Valkenburg

Nine years after leaving the House, Van Valkenburg became a circuit judge for Michigan's 9th Circuit, which consists of Kalamazoo County, where he served for three years. He was a member of the Freemasons, the Shriners, Kiwanis, and the American Legion.

Wade Van Valkenburg

Van Valkenburg died on November 20, 1985 in Kalamazoo.

In 2004, the Wade Van Valkenburg Trust established a scholarship program for students in Kalamazoo County who have been found guilty of a criminal offense and who can demonstrate how they have overcome adversity in their life.

References

1899 births

1985 deaths

Speakers of the Michigan House of Representatives

Republican Party members of the Michigan House of Representatives

People from Lenawee County, Michigan

Politicians from Kalamazoo, Michigan

University of Michigan alumni

Detroit College of Law alumni

United States Marine Corps personnel of World War I

20th-century American politicians

20th-century American judges