A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Rob Van Der Vleuten, a man whose career as a musician and singer has experienced a remarkable resurgence. Sitting down with him and hearing about his life journey was both engaging and inspiring.

Rob's heritage is Dutch, as his parents immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands, settling in East York. Along with his sister, Rob grew up in Scarborough, attending Neil McNeil and later Cardinal Newman Secondary.

At just ten years old, Rob discovered a passion for the guitar. He credits his father, a skilled guitarist, for nurturing his interest. “I would watch my father play for hours,” Rob recalled. “At the family cottage in the Kawarthas, I spent countless hours playing along with him.” Those formative experiences planted the seeds for what would become a lifelong love of music.

Rob’s father was an entrepreneur who ran an upholstery business. Like many children of small business owners, Rob was expected to contribute, working after school and on weekends. Yet, he always found time to play his guitar, and his growing talent as a singer led to his being asked to join a band. Throughout high school, Rob performed as the lead singer at various events.

Uncertain about his career path, Rob tried his hand at different part-time jobs. He enjoyed physical work and found laying interlocking stones both challenging and fulfilling. Seeking further direction, he enrolled at Centennial College, spending five years studying general business and management. During this time, a co-op placement at Philips Electronics gave him a glimpse of corporate life. “That experience showed me the corporate world was not where I wanted to be,” he explained.

Instead, Rob joined his uncle’s construction business, where he thrived. “Working outdoors and using my hands felt incredibly satisfying,” he shared. Music, however, remained a central part of his life. While at college, he became part of a new wave band called After Ours, which gained a following, touring southern Ontario. Still, music alone could not support him financially, so Rob returned to his roots, helping his father with the family business.

When Rob purchased a fixer-upper home in Oshawa, his skills in construction and renovation came to good use. Around this time, he met Robin McDonald, a teacher originally from Labrador. They married in 1995 and soon welcomed a son and daughter. The growing family decided to move, building a new home north of Scugog. Clearing the property for their new house was no small task, but country living suited them. They also enjoyed time on their cabin cruiser on Lake Scugog, embracing the joys of outdoor life.

Rob’s interests expanded to kickboxing, which he practised for over a decade. He even taught classes at a local gym. When the gym closed, life presented a new opportunity. He connected with musicians seeking a singer and guitarist, which led to a 13-year run performing classic rock.

“I really enjoyed building the house, so I decided to do it again,” Rob explained. Over the years, he successfully built and sold several homes, with each project adding to his sense of accomplishment. The pandemic temporarily slowed his plans, but his passion for construction remained undeterred.

More recently, Rob joined a band called The Bomb, where he serves as lead singer and guitarist. The group regularly performs three or four shows a month, including an annual concert each December at Port Perry’s Town Hall. In addition, Rob plays with another band, RAD, which keeps him busy with several performances each month.

Reflecting on his life, Rob has seamlessly blended his love for music, construction, and family. When asked what the future might hold, he smiled and said, “Hopefully more of the same, as I love what I am doing.”

Rob Van Der Vleuten’s story is a testament to pursuing one’s passions, no matter the challenges or turns life may take. From his early days strumming a guitar at the cottage to his thriving career as a performer and builder, he continues to embrace life’s opportunities with enthusiasm and determination.