De Ruiter, Robert W. 1941-2009

DE RUITER, VAN GORP, DE KOCK

Posted By: Ernie Braida (email)
Date: 1/12/2010 at 19:20:11

Robert Wayne De Ruiter was born on March 21, 1941, at Pella, Iowa. He was the second of four children that were born to Nicholas and Leona Van Gorp De Ruiter.

Bob attended country grade school and the Pella Christian Grade School and graduated from Pella Christian High School with the Class of 1959. During high school, he played basketball and sang in the school choir. His singing voice was very evident.

On December 21, 1962, he and Lavonne Joyce De Kock were united in marriage at Denver, Colorado. Bob and Lavonne had two wonderful daughters: Brenda Lee and Anita Lynn. Bob and Lavonne continued living in Denver following their marriage where he worked for his uncle at a construction company.

He later did over-the-road truck driving until he wanted to stay closer to home and they moved to Pella, Iowa in 1968. Bob then became part owner of Ryken- De Ruiter Construction and later worked for Story Construction Company of Ames, Iowa building water treatment plants.

His last employment was with the City of Pella, Iowa. Bob became the street/utility maintenance superintendent in April of 1982 and demonstrated a high degree of professionalism, capability and thoroughness in guiding the city through many improvement projects that had a positive impact on the everyday lives of Pella residents and businesses. He retired in February of 1997 as as interim Public Works Director.

Bob displayed strong work ethics his entire working lifetime.

Following his early retirement, he continued to display his musical talents playing the guitar and he and Lavonne enjoyed spending time in Arizona. He had aspirations of traveling to Alaska and Australia.

Bob enjoyed hunting (mushroom) and fishing as these skills were also evident.

On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2009, he passed away from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella at the age of 67 years, 10 months and 24 days.

Bob’s family and friends were a very important part of his life. He leaves his wife of 46 years, Von; his two daughters and their husbands, 7 grandchildren and one great-grandson: Brenda and Marty Shinn of Pella, Iowa; Anita and Chuck Goetz of Woodbury, Minnesota. Bob leaves his mother, Leona De Ruiter of Pella; his two sisters: Donna (Milton) Gabrielse of Kearney, Missouri, Carol and her husband, Bill Rauhauser of Denton, Texas; his younger brother, Dwayne De Ruiter and his wife, Norma of Pella; along with the following sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Lois (De Kock) and Dr. James De Jong of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Twila (De Kock) and Logan Terpstra of Sully, Iowa , Darlene (De Kock) and John Meier of Hazelton, Iowa.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Nick De Ruiter; his parents-in-law, William and Gertrude (De Jong) De Kock; and a brother-in-law, Milton Gabrielse.

Bob was baptized at the First Christian Reformed Church in Pella and at the time of his death was a member of New Hope Community Church. Bob will be remembered for his sense of humor and strong work ethic.

Interment at the Graceland Cemetery at Pella.

Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home