Richard Vander Veen graduated from Muskegon High School and earned a BS from the University of South Carolina, followed by an LL.B. from Harvard Law School. He practiced law in Grand Rapids, co-founding a prominent local firm. His military service included World War II and the Korean War. Vander Veen held various leadership roles within the Democratic Party and served on state commissions related to mental health and highways. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and later founded the Ryerson Library Foundation.

Richard Vander Veen's political identity is marked by a distinctive blend of economic pragmatism and environmental advocacy, often seen in his dual roles as a business-focused legislator and an entrepreneur in green energy. His legislative record reveals an unexpected convergence with opposing factions on environmental regulations, suggesting a highly calculated approach to protecting regional industrial interests. Vander Veen's military background also adds a unique dimension to his advocacy for veterans' benefits, intertwining personal experience with policy stances.