John Randall Vansurdam

The family of John Randall (Randy) Van Surdam of Seneca, South Carolina, announces his passing from this mortal life at age 69. Born in Moncks Corner, SC, on December 6, 1955, the son of John A. Van Surdam and Catherine Humphries Van Surdam, he died surrounded by his family on August 2, 2025, at Oconee Memorial Hospital in Seneca. He was preceded in death by his Father, John A. VanSurdam, his Mother, Catherine Van Surdam, née Humphries, and grandnephew Callum James Whelan. He is survived by his sister, Cynthia Alison Whelan, née Van Surdam (wife of Kevin Whelan); his nieces Theresa Mosher, née Whelan (wife of Peter Mosher) of Canton GA, Elizabeth Beach, DPT née Whelan (wife of Matthew Beach) of Charlotte, NC, nephews Brendan Whelan (husband of Stacy Whelan, née Henderson) of Maryville TN; ; Lucas Whelan of Charlotte, NC; SSgt Conner Whelan, ANG (husband of Lauren Whelan, née McHenry) of Seneca, SC; John Paul Whelan of Seneca, SC. He is also survived by nine grandnieces and grandnephews, including Madeline Mosher, Lillian Whelan, Zelie Mosher, Kai Whelan, Lawrence Mosher, Camille Whelan, Kolbie Mosher, Finley Whelan, and Maeve Beach.

Also feeling his loss deeply is his devoted friend, girlfriend, and companion, Marieta Buenafe Borillo. Spending many hours together, they traveled with friends, experiencing great times of immense joy. She could often be seen sitting beside him, watching the instruments as he made minor adjustments to his hovering helicopter. As his health declined, she was a steadfast caregiver and confidant. Marieta was at his bedside as Randy’s life ended.

Randy grew up in locations throughout the South, and his family eventually settled in Wilmington, NC. He was active in a variety of sports, including baseball, basketball, and soccer. He graduated from J.H. Rose High School in Greenville, NC, in 1974 before matriculating to Clemson University as an Engineering student. At Clemson, he became an active member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, where he picked up the moniker “Vance”. He graduated from Clemson University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Upon graduation, he was immediately hired by the American Enka Corporation, with which he had interned while at Clemson. In 1982, he moved on to an Engineering position with Duke Power.

At Duke, so a story (that has taken on legendary appeal) goes, Randy was frequently called on to travel by air to California. He was deeply afraid of flying. Realizing that the travel requirement would not abate, he worked on the problem like an engineer and elected to learn everything about flying to “get over this.” Taking flying lessons, he earned his private pilot's license. Diving deeper, he purchased and reassembled a vintage Navion, doing much of the work in the living room of his home off Isaqueena Road. It was common for first-time visitors to enter the room, look around, and remark, “ya know Vance, ya got an airplane wing in your living room.”

“The rest of it’s in the garage,” he’d offhandedly reply.

Needing to advance his skills, he enrolled in evening classes at Greenville Technical College, earning an Airframe and Power Plant (A&P) License, a certification issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

His fear of flying far behind him, he began flying throughout the South. His reputation as an airplane mechanic with meticulous attention to detail and safety preceded him. Always a great teacher, he took time to help others learn the craft he so quickly mastered, never allowing them to cut corners and always checking and rechecking their work.

Friends retell one story that took place as he flew to a close friend's wedding in the Atlanta area. As he flew above I-85, fog began to form, and the flight ceiling began to lower. Not yet rated for instrument navigation, he knew it was both unsafe and illegal for him to fly in those conditions. Knowing that the FAA permitted emergency landings on Interstate Highways, he landed his airplane in the I-85 Southbound lane, timing his final approach between two cars. He taxied the plane up the ramp and parked in a lot behind a 7-11. He made it to the wedding on time. Days later, his flight instructor took the plane off from the parking lot and flew it back to Clemson. The FAA investigated and ruled that all his actions were appropriate and the safest alternative.

In 2001, after receiving his A&P Inspector Authorization, he decided to leave Duke and establish VanSurdam Vintage Aircraft in the hangar at Oconee County Regional Airport. His clientele was fiercely loyal as his renown spread nationwide. His restored aircraft won awards at air shows and was often featured in aircraft magazines.

While frequently sought out for aircraft restoration projects, his priority was always the local flying enthusiast. “They depend on me like it's their bass boat,” he’d often proclaim. In this highly scrutinized field, he never faced an FAA investigation for his work. Dozens of young A&P mechanics learned their craft under his tutelage. They remember him as being a meticulous problem solver and patient teacher. Many years after leaving his shop, they would call him in to troubleshoot problems. Mild mannered and calm, he always found a solution.

As a long-time resident of Oconee County, he quietly developed a reputation as a man to be depended upon in hard times. He was frequently there when a single mother needed the use of a car or cash to make ends meet. He would help friends reestablish their lives after running into hard times. His help was simple and quiet, never seeking repayment. Many of these people went on to live productive lives in our community. They never forgot his generosity.

Animals, too, benefited from his kind heart. He volunteered and was eventually elected President of the Oconee County Humane Society. Combining his passions, he had the society auction rides in his antique Stearman biplane and used his helicopter in an annual golf ball drop as fundraisers.

He could not pass a stray dog without stopping his car and bringing it home to his farm. His “Funny Duck Farm” soon became a makeshift dog sanctuary! It was a home for dozens of stray dogs over the years. Each was given a name that often corresponded with the location or circumstances in which they were found: Chip - found warming himself on a pile of wood chips on a cold day, Dover - who was almost ‘rundover’, OCRA - found out at Oconee County Region Airport. He fashioned a wheelchair for Dexter, whose hind legs were paralyzed.

His dogs were not alone in his farm menagerie. He adopted horses and a donkey. He adopted Hunter the Bull, who had become habituated in a local herd. Randy revelled in showing off his bull, which would come when called, loved being petted and hand-fed watermelon, and was frighteningly playful as his 1000-pound mass came frolicking across the pasture.

Randy’s professional life was committed to the deepest possible understanding of his craft. His personal life was committed to generosity and loyal friendships. His community life was committed to service and care for animals. The foundation of all of this was his honesty, integrity, and respect for the lives of others. The result of a life well lived is the deep love his many friends have for him.

The family will celebrate Randy at a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Clemson. His family, many friends, and Kappa Sigma fraternity brothers will hold a Celebration of Life in the Funny Duck Farm Hangar at Randy’s annual Labor Day celebration.

Prior to his death, Randy made arrangements for the Stearman biplane to remain available for fundraising efforts by local charities.

Randy’s surviving sister, Cindy, requests no flowers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who love Randy join their ongoing effort to research cures for cancer by donating to Pedal The Cause:

https://www.givesignup.org/Race/157721/Donate/moC5UfBirG5KxovM

Cremation Society of SC - Brown Funerals is assisting the family.