Donald Van Dam

Donald Van Dam was a delightful man, quick to use his fun loving sense of humor to put others at ease. Donald was a true family man who cherished all the time he spent with his wife, children and grandchildren. In their company, you could always find a proud smile on his face.

The first years of the 1940s marked a tumultuous decade for America, as well as the rest of the world. In Europe, fighting erupted between Allied and Axis forces and America would soon be drawn into this conflict by the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It was into these uncertain times that Donald was born on April 27, 1940, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to John and Jean (Koopman) Van Dam.

Donald was happily married to his beloved wife, Donna (Ritsema), for 43 years, and they had four wonderful children: Deborah, Darrell, Dave and Derek. Donald was a strong father figure for his children, teaching them about the importance of responsibility and working hard. Yet, he was also a big joker and loved to have fun with his kids. His great sense of humor and joking manner always made them smile. In later years, when Donald was blessed with 3 grandchildren, he poured the same amount of love and fun into these relationships, and in turn, they loved to hang out with their Grandpa.

Life was good for Donald and Donna, full of hard work and lots of fun. Over the years, they made their home in three different states: Indiana, South Carolina and Michigan. For the last three years, Donald and Donna had been snowbirds and drove to sunny Florida in their RV to escape the cold Michigan winters. Here, Donald could relax on the beach or do some fishing on a charter boat. Back home in Holland, he and Donna were active members of the Beechwood Church. As a man of great faith, Donald felt the best way to show his Christian commitment was through his actions and example.

In his leisure time, Donald loved to bird watch, and was passionate about airplanes and model airplanes. But above all else, he enjoyed being surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. They were the people that he shared his life with, and the people that he loved. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Donald J. Van Dam, age 68, of Holland, formerly of Grand Rapids, MI, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, January 24, 2009.

Surviving is his wife of 43 years, Donna (Ritsema) Van Dam of Holland; his children: Deborah and Eric Luzier, Darrell and Corban Van Dam, Dave and Christine Van Dam, and Derek Van Dam; his three grandchildren: Lauren Luzier, Brandon Luzier and Brianna Van Dam; his sister, Marsha Raymond; his sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Elinor Van Doornik, Karen Griffeth, Melvin and Deb Ritsema, and Phyllis Haverkamp; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28, at the Beechwood Church, 895 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland, with Rev. Marvin Beukelman and Rev. James Lankheet officiating.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 27, from 6-8 p.m. in the Northwood Chapel of Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, 295 Douglas Avenue, Holland, and on Wednesday from 10-11:00 a.m. at Beechwood Church.

Burial will take place in Lakewood Cemetery in Park Township.

Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center (CVC).

Please visit Donald’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may sign his online guest book or share a memory/thought with his family.