It is with heavy heart the family and friends of Mike Veldman announce he went to the other side on Wednesday June 18, 2025. Mike was 72 and until recently lived in Stillwater, Oklahoma, with his sweetheart of nearly 29 years.

Because Mike did not like a fuss of any kind there will not be a service or memorial, however, early this fall there will be a celebratory gathering at one of his favorite places. Family and friends will be in touch with date and time.


Mike went quick, peacefully and without struggle on his way to town from the property. He was found comfortably behind the steering wheel...just like in life. Mike was raised by his parents Shirley (Chase) Veldman and Richard Veldman in Omaha, Nebraska, where he is the oldest of eight siblings and their respective families, who reside throughout Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri. Mike is known by many as Big Mike, where so many know him as the big man with the big heart.


Mike's early education was in Omaha, Nebraska. He entered the Air Force where he served in Vietnam. In addition to his military schooling he also attended MIT for a couple of semesters. His vast array of interests and talents saw him working the southern region for Cox Cable as well as Creighton University of Omaha, Nebraska, to name a few. He moved to Oklahoma, where he founded a small engine repair service,
consulted, and to work for TMS Inc. developing floppy disc technology. He also helped establish TV Channel 31, Stillwater, and eventually became their technical adviser.


He retired from Oklahoma State University from the Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering Department where he was a Design Engineer for the Biosystems Laboratory. Faculty and staff alike utilized his mechanical, electrical, and physics leanings. Stories told, when a student would ask him, "how to ... " he'd pull out a book from a shelf and say, "Read this, it's in here somewhere."


Mike independently conducted research all his life whether it be history, physics, anything from mechanical, electronics, building, efficiency, philosophy, and theosophy just to name a few. He is very resourceful and could build things from just about anything. He actually spent his life answering the call to and of curiosity.


Since his interests are many, he's volunteered with our community in a variety of ways from stewardships, holding offices, and serving as a consultant and was even for a while, a weekly columnist for The Stillwater Newspress.


Mike was an active participant in many organizations throughout his life including Rotary International, where he established the Veldman Scholarship to Meridian Technology Center, the Oklahoma Steam Threshing & Gas Engine Association, Stillwater Friends of the Library, Stillwater Amateur Radio Club. For a number of years, he was part of a ham radio repeater organization and the Payne County Emergency Management group during parades and severe weather. He also served on the Red Cross Board and was a member of the local train enthusiasts club.


He was a charter member of the Stillwater Antique & Vintage Farm Equipment group, and a life long ham radio operator, where he met people from all over the world. Needless to say, anything at the cutting edge he'd learn about it then, draft a schematic, then he'd like to try to build it with what he had on hand.


For many years he was an avid participant with the monthly St Francis of the Woods, Friday Discussion Group as it piqued his interests where theosophy a theology meet. Mike was continually building something and or repairing all kinds of stuff for himself and others. We are asking that you remember the laughs and discussions you've shared with him.

Because Mike did not like a fuss of any kind there will not be a service or memorial, however, early this fall there will be a celebratory gathering at one of his favorite places. Family and friends will be in touch with date and time.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests donations be made in Mike's name to Rotary International and in the memo note: "Veldman Scholarship". We would like that as he believed in the value of technology and very much supported all types of education.



Make checks to:
CFO Stillwater Frontier Rotary
Memo: Veldman Scholarship

Mail to:
Stillwater Frontier Rotary
POB 533
Stillwater OK 74076


Sincerely,
Family & Friends of Mike Veldman