Photo courtesy of Smits Funeral Home - Dyer
Dyer, Indiana
Nov 10, 1950 – Nov 26, 2020 (Age 70)
Robert “Bob” D. Huizenga, age 70, of Saint John, IN passed away on Thursday, November 26, 2020. Beloved husband of Joy E. Huizenga, nee Rietveld. Loving father of Doug (Erica) Huizenga, Jen (Jason) Topp, Ryan Huizenga, and Katie (Sam) Abbott. Cherished grandfather of Kaya and Eli Huizenga, Kaelyn, Layton, and Kolten Topp, Diane, Audrey, Hannah, late Kora, Adelyn, and Brynley Abbott. Dear brother of Janet (John) Sutorius, the late Beverly Jones, Ellen (Lou) Caposey, Jill Dekker, and David Huizenga. Preceded in death by his parents Donald and Jean Huizenga. Bob was loved by many and will be dearly missed.
Robert Huizenga. Also known as Bob or B.O.B. He never met a corny joke he didn’t like, and he loved to stump the grandkids with a riddle or two – teasing those he loved. He would talk to anyone, anywhere, at any time. In the ups and downs of life at times he wandered, but his love for others and his faith in God never wavered. He married the Joy of his life not once, but twice. He took time with his kids and grandkids to coach them and teach them, whether it was sports, fishing, or construction. He had a creative eye (although he only had one good one that he joked about) and worked with ingenuity to fix whatever needed fixing at the lowest possible cost. He had an entrepreneurial spirit, looking for something to build, and always had a positive outlook about how things would turn out somehow envisioning the end of a project. He used that gift to completely renovate the cottage in Michigan so that we could build memories together as a family. Although at times during that project he just supervised, giving tips about the correct way to do things – but he certainly earned that right. He used his talents to build a better world for his family, and the legacy of those cottage memories will stick with us forever. He seemed to have a favorite phrase for so many occasions that we often joked about. It only seems appropriate to end this memorial with a phrase that Bob would say first thing every morning we were at the cottage. “It sure is a beautiful day…the best day yet”. Bob, welcome home to your best day yet. You’ll be enjoying a beautiful day forever with your Savior.
Visitation Monday, November 30, 2020 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Smits Funeral Home, 2121 Pleasant Springs Ln, Dyer, IN (in consideration of others, masks are required). Funeral service Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Church, 100 W 81st Ave, Dyer, IN with Rev. Bob Bouwer officiating. Interment Memory Lane Memorial Park – Schererville, IN. Memorial contributions to Crown Point Christian School (10550 Park Pl, St John, IN 46373), Bible League International (3801 Eagle Nest Dr, Crete, IL 60417) or The Peyton Riekhof Foundation for Youth Hope are greatly appreciated. For more information, please call 219-322-7300 or visit our online obituary and guestbook at www.SMITSFH.com
Read MoreJoy: Remembering our times together. Praying for you & your family’s comfort during this time & days ahead. May God keep you in His loving care.❤
Connie Mark
December 04, 2020 | Crown Point, IN | Friend
My deepest condolence you will be well missed Renee in apt 1 B
Renee White
December 03, 2020 | Friend
Sending our love & prayers to the family... so wishing we were there with all of you during this very hard time. We love you all SO dearly!! Our silly & fun-loving Uncle Bob will be greatly missed..
Valerie & Jason Siegfried
December 01, 2020 | WA | Family
To Joy and family, Ric and I are saddened at the news of Bob's death. We enjoyed listening to Kaya and Eli's happy memories of their Grandpa's funny jokes, his love of candy, and giving them happy memories at the cottage. He was at many of their sports activities which was a huge show of love and support. He was a good, caring father-in-law to our daughter Erica. We will miss his mischievous grin. God be with you during this season of mourning, Joy and family.
Ric and Brenda Urness
November 30, 2020 | Gobles, MI | Friend
Bob was A nice soul. Always treated everyone with love and respect. I am sad for loosing a friend. My condolences to Huizenga family.
May God bless his soul.
Mohammad Saleem
November 29, 2020 | Munster, IN | Friend
I can only imagine the joy Bob experienced when he ran into the arms of Jesus! John and I are remembering wonderful memories of church softball games, dinner with the "group" afterwards at Gus' restaurant, and New Year's Eve parties to name a few. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers, Joy! God bless, John and Denise DeBoer
John and Denise DeBoer
November 29, 2020 | Schererville, IN | Friend
Bob was my boss, my friend, and a surrogate father. When he was my boss it was time to work no playing, when he was my friend he would joke around and make fun of me, when he was like a father he would guide me and teach me the right way to do things. I will miss you everyday and you’re signature line “it’s a 2 minute job” Life won’t be the same without you... My thoughts are with Mrs. Joy and all the Huizenga family❤
Jack Lascano
November 29, 2020 | East Chicago, IN | Coworker
Sad to hear of Bob's passing. Memories of playing baseball and football with Bob at Lan-Oak Park. Sympathy for the Huizenga Family.
Tom Meeter
November 29, 2020 | Hebron, IN | Classmate
Dear Joy and family,
Our heartfelt sympathy to you all. Doug has good memories of playing sports with Bob. We enjoyed re-connecting at our grandsons' basketball games. Asking God to comfort you and give you His peace.
Doug and Audrey VanVuren
November 29, 2020 | Crete, IL | Friend