Roger Voss

Roger E. Voss was a kind and loving man, known for his big heart, for his incredible sense of humor and his intoxicating love for life. In fact, Roger was such a pleasure to be around it was often said that he could become friends with a complete stranger in less than five minutes. Although many people will miss having Roger as a close friend, he will be held in special reverence by those who knew him as a great-grandfather, grandfather, father, brother, and husband.

Times were hard in the United States in 1930, unemployment rates where high, and spirits were low as many American families tried to stretch their dollars in order to survive the Great Depression. Despite challenges, however, the American spirit was not jilted, and with the discovery of a ninth planet “Pluto” there was a feeling that anything was possible. For Albert and Gertrude (Bonzelaar) Voss, of Holland, Michigan, however, something happened that made even the greatest astronomical discovery pale in comparison, on April 13, their son Roger E. Voss was born.

From an early age, Roger’s outgoing personality was very apparent. Even as a young boy Roger was known to family as being ‘quite the character,’ and when he and his best friend Arnie LaCombe were together it seemed no one was safe from their practical jokes, not even the neighborhood birds! Roger, Arnie, and some of their other friends would often entertain themselves by taking a fish line with hooks on each end and putting hot dogs on each hook. After creating the device, the boys would throw it in the air and wait for the seagulls to grab a hold of the hot dogs. Of course after two seagulls secured the ends of the hooks in their beaks it wasn’t long before they ran out of line and were halted in their flight, leaving the boys doubled over in laughter. Sometimes of course, their victims were not only seagulls but also Roger’s father. Roger would often take his father’s car and sneak out at night. In order not to wake his dad, he would push the car out into the street before starting it. His father would never suspect anything until the next day when he would go to start the car only to find it was out of gas. The normal purr of the car's motor was replaced by the sound of Mr. Voss screaming “ROGER!”

When Roger wasn’t busy tormenting the local seagulls, he also attended and graduated from Holland Christian High School. His grandchildren often laugh as they recall the stories Roger told them about having to walk “a mile uphill to and from school.” Imagine their confusion when they realized that his home was only one house from the school. Upon graduating from Holland Christian High School, Roger followed his patriotic duty and served for four years in the National Guard. After his time was up, Roger decided to celebrate his return to civilian life by going roller-skating at the Zeeland Roller Rink. As fate would have it, that night a young lady named Bernice also strapped on a pair of skates and found herself at the Zeeland Rink as well. Roger was immediately taken by Bernice’s beauty, and made it his goal to kiss her that night. Of course, being a lady, Bernice would have no such thing. After Roger politely asked if he could kiss her goodnight, she responded with shock saying “OH NO!” Not deterred by rejection, Roger continued to pursue a relationship with Bernice and the couple ended up dating for thirteen months before getting married on February 22, 1952 at the Maple Avenue Christian Reformed Church.

After saying “I do,” the young couple went to Iowa on their honeymoon to visit Roger’s step grandparents, before starting a home in Holland and a family complete with four children: Alan (Mike), Linda, Sandy and Randy (Nick). The children have fond memories of this time growing up, they especially recall Sunday afternoons at home when the family would pile into their car and take a ride somewhere. Of course, they never leave before attending church. Roger and Bernice’s home was kitty corner from a church, but they never really noticed it until one fateful day when the Voss’ barn burned down. Members of the church rushed over to aid Roger and Bernice, and Roger was very surprised at the amount of help he received. It wasn’t long before he started attending Living Word Christian Center.

During this time Roger supported the family by working for General Electric Roger. A ‘tinkerer’ by nature, Roger also loved working with small motors and snowmobiles (snowmobiling was a beloved pastime) and in the late 60s and 70s he began working part-time at Reliable Sales and Service as a service manager and small engine repairmen. Following that job, he did bridgework on I 196 between Grand Rapids and Holland when it was first built in the 1970s before eventually taking a job at Hexcel Chemical Company in Zeeland, where he retired in 1988. Full of energy, it seems Roger was not content unless he was busy, when Roger returned home from work he would often occupy himself by working outdoors, something he enjoyed very much. Roger also loved music, and he always had a song in his heart, as was apparent from his constant whistling. He loved all types of music, but lately enjoyed listening to the oldies. However, true to Roger’s upbeat spirit, his favorites song was from Disney: It’s a Small World. When not busy with work, or listening to music, Roger would also take time and relax in front of the television. He thoroughly enjoyed Court TV and his favorite shows were “Judge Judy,” “Cops,” and Jackie Gleason.

As was apparent from his pleasant demeanor, Roger enjoyed the simple things in life, especially when it came to what he ate. Roger always loved eating crab legs and going to Byron Center to eat at the Big Chicken, however, birthday cakes were Roger’s favorite food and would often get in trouble for sneaking in and eating the frosting. Roger was able to counteract his love for sweets by perpetually keeping busy. When he wasn’t riding around the house on his prized Polaris Quad Runner, he could often be found riding on his Ski Doo snowmobile or working on household repairs. Roger was often known as a “Jack of All Trades.” No matter where he was or what he was doing, you could be sure that his dog and faithful companion Bear was not far behind—they were simply inseparable. In fact, the only place Roger didn’t take Bear inside (strictly due to company policy) was the Right Angle, were Roger would often frequent in order to have coffee with his buddies and share stories about the “good ol’ days” in Holland. Roger also kept active social ties as a member of the Fennville Rod and Gun Club.

Although Roger was a social creature, he valued nothing more than spending time with his wife and children. While the children were still at home, Roger and Bernice took many vacations; however, their most memorable trip was on their 50th anniversary when they vacationed in Gulf Shores, Alabama. In order to accommodate the number of people on the trip, Roger and Bernice rented a 15-passenger van and two car toppers. Due to the limited space, each person was only allowed to bring two bags on the trip, Roger, however, seemed to bypass this rule and snuck an extra eight bags in the van! This was due to Roger’s pack rat tendencies. If someone moved something of Rogers he would notice it had been touched. His habit of collecting was so noticeable, in fact, that Roger’s CB handle was “PackRat”. On another memorable excursion out West, they rode their motorcycles with other couples. On the way back, the motorcycle Roger was on blew a tire and crashed. Disappointed, they loaded the motorcycle into a Uhaul and headed home. Not one to be discouraged, however, Roger’s humor made the return trip in the Uhaul just as exciting as the trip there.

Unfortunately, the motorcycle trip was not the only vacation that ended in near disaster. On a boating trip through the Chain of Lakes, the weather turned cold, windy, and rainy. Although the conditions was miserable, like the “Captain” Roger was known to be, he made the best of the circumstances, and put a tarp over the boat in order to stay dry. He navigated the pontoon the rest of the way home, while only being able to see through a small hole cut in the tarp. Once Roger and Bernice made it to town they borrowed a two-wheel dolly, loaded up their things and found a hotel to dry out. When Bernice noticed Roger getting discouraged because of the chain of events she would simply say “Put Your Chin Up.” Words Roger took to heart.

A constantly happy man, Roger always found joy in pleasing others. One of his favorite memories was Christmas 2003 when Roger borrowed son Mike’s Santa outfit and dressed up for the kids. He thoroughly enjoyed every minute he was able to be around his family, particularly his grand and great grandchildren who will always remember their grandfather with love.

On Wednesday January 14, 2004 in Spectrum Health, Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids, Roger's long, happy, but somehow all too brief, life came to a close. He was preceded in death by his grandson David Lee Voss in 1979. Roger’s memory will be kept alive by those who survive him, including his wife of fifty-two years: Bernice; his children Alan (Mike) and Pamela Voss of Holland; Linda and Dennis Postma of West Olive; Sandy Garcia of Holland; and Randy (Nick) and Beth Voss of Holland. Roger was a loving grandfather to fourteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. His sisters Marian Faber of Holland; and Gladys and John Jansen of Holland, along with his sister-in-law Eleanor Voss of Holland and his brother-in-law Wayne Poppema of Florida, and his many nieces, nephews, and cousins will remember him with love. A service remembering the life of Roger will be held at 2 pm Saturday at the Living Word Christian Center with the Rev. Tony Adams officiating. Burial will be held in the Olive Township Cemetery. Friends wishing to call on the family can gather for visitation from 7-9pm Friday at the Northwood Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes 295 Douglas Ave, a Lifestory Funeral Home. To read Roger’s full life story, leave a memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to the American Heart Association, please visit Roger’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com

Roger will survive in the hearts and memories of those who loved him as a jovial man who made every day a good day. The sight of his smile and the sound of his whistle, touched the lives of all who knew him. ©2004 Lifestorynet LLC.