The Moorestown Service Club council selected William Van Fossen III as Moorestown’s 2013 Citizen of the Year.
Van Fossen grew up in Moorestown, graduated from Moorestown High School and attended Drexel University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in commerce and engineering in 1980.
After college, Van Fossen moved back to Moorestown and joined the family business — Van Air and Hydraulics, Inc. — until it was sold in 2005. He then started a manufacture’s rep and consulting business, Van Fossen Associates LLC.
Van Fossen’s involvement in Moorestown goes beyond spending more than 6 years on the Board of Education.
Van Fossen is a former YMCA board member, a member of the Moorestown Rotary Lunch Club, former president of the Sunnybrook Swim Club and Moorestown Community House committee member.
He was surprised when he received a phone call about the selection. He wasn’t aiming for this type of recognition. He said he only wanted to be involved in the community.
“I haven’t done it with a lot of thought that something like this would happen. I am very honored,” he said.
Out of all of his community involvement, Van Fossen said he enjoys the time spent on the Scott Coffee Memorial Run (Moorestown Rotary Run).
For the past 28 years, the Rotary Club hosts an 8K run on Moorestown Day.
“From a fundraising standpoint there is plenty of work to be done, but no one has to go out and sell tickets. People want to come to Moorestown because the events have been run so well,” Van Fossen said.
He said he remembers the first Moorestown Rotary Run. Fellow Rotary member and friend of Van Fossen, Scott Coffee, came up with the idea to have the fundraising event. Coffee ran the race until 2006.
“Unfortunately, he passed away from a heart attack. He was a great community figure. I am almost certain Scott would have been citizen of the year if he wasn’t taken so early,” Van Fossen said.
The race raises approximately $20,000 per year for local high school scholarships, Van Fossen’s nomination letter said.
Van Fossen said Coffee inspired him to get involved in not only the Rotary, but inspired him to get onto the school board.
“We thought it was fitting to name the race after Scott,” he said.
Now Van Fossen is leaving the school board, he said he still has plenty to do in the community.
“I am very honored to be named,” Van Fossen said.
