Dr. I.L. Van Zandt was from one of the pioneer families of Fort Worth. He was born Nov. 12, 1911, and resided in Fort Worth most of his life. He attended Sunday school at First Christian Church and was baptized by Dr. L.D. Anderson at the age of 12 1/2 years. He had been a member of University Christian Church since 1976. Dr. Van Zandt graduated from old Central High School in 1930. He received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Texas and attended/matriculated at the Medical Branch at Galveston. He received a medical degree in 1937. He was a member of the Order of Kappa Alpha at the University and a member of Alpha Kappa Kappa Medical Fraternity in Galveston. He interned at Pittsburgh General Hospital and returned home for seven years of general practice before choosing orthopaedic surgery as his specialty and contribution to his practice. He served his fellowship in orthopaedic surgery for three years at the Campbell Clinic in Memphis, after which he returned to Fort Worth to practice bone and joint surgery for 33 years. His most rewarding years of practice were when he was doing the reconstructive and corrective surgery for the poliomyelitis children, restoring function to their crippled arms, legs and spines. He was chief of staff at All Saints Hospital and City-County Hospital. He spent years on the staff at City-County teaching interns and residents the treatment of everyday broken bones and sprained joints. He retired from active practice in mid-1984. He realized he had worked during the "Golden Years" of private practice when there was a meaningful relationship between doctors and patients. His memberships included the American College of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Texas Surgical Society, Texas Medical Association, Tarrant County Medical Society, Tarrant County Orthopaedic Association, The Sons of The Republic of Texas, The Sons of The Confederacy, and Petroleum Club and listed in the Southwestern Edition of Who's Who. He served as president and director of the Port Bay Club.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sally, his parents, and his grandparents. Survivors include his wife, Jeane, his children, Neil Van Zandt and Genie Byrd, and two grandchildren.