Robert D. Plaggemars

Robert D. Plaggemars, age 87, of Holland, passed away Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at Resthaven Care Center. Robert Dale Plaggemars, or "Bob" as he was known to most, lived his 87 years on earth with a love for people, his family, and the Lord. Born on February 28, 1934, he was the oldest son of four boys. Bob grew up on a farm and would care for the animals as well as plant and harvest crops alongside his brothers. He met Hermina Jansen in his early 20s and married her on her birthday, May 28. Together they welcomed Carol, Paul, MaryAnn, and Mark. Their daughter MaryAnn passed away shortly after birth and they commemorated her life for years with poems in the Holland Sentinel on her birthday. Bob always felt fortunate to have a job and went in eager to learn more every day. Bob worked for Chris-Craft Boats for 24 years until he was recruited to work for Herman Miller, Inc. He worked at Herman Miller until he retired at the age of 58 to spend more time with his family and travel. He and Hermina traveled the world, visiting Switzerland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Alaska, Panama Canal, but his favorite places were Hawaii where "the air always smelled like flowers" and Israel, the Holy Land. Never one to sit still (he was still hauling shingles onto roofs well into his 80s), Bob was a deeply active citizen. He was a National Guard veteran, volunteer fireman at Graafschap Fire Department, elder and deacon at Graafschap Christian Reformed Church, and avid hunter (deer and pheasant were his favorites). In 1997, alongside his friend, Jack DeFrell, he built a 1847 replica of the original log cabin Church for its sesquicentennial celebration. He thoroughly enjoyed this project, loved being a guide explaining both the building process and the history, and was featured in the newspaper for it! Bob and Hermina nurtured a large garden together over the years, keeping them, their families, and friends stocked with raspberries, peaches, corn, strawberries, grapes, apples, blackberries, and more. He was especially fond of tomatoes and yellow raspberries and would often describe them "sweet as honey." An avid craftsman, Bob could do anything. From the very big, like building houses (including the one he and Hermina raised their family and their cottage on Lake Michigan) to the small, like making doll cradles for his granddaughters, Bob was always eager to create and solve problems. He loved spending time in his workshop and could be found there year-round, tinkering away and operating his tools and machinery with finesse. And, he always had a jar stocked with Tootsie Rolls in case a grandchild came by! But most of all, Bob loved people. He truly never met a stranger and could instantly make anyone feel at ease with his warmth and his welcoming spirit. He would strike up a conversation with absolutely anyone and never judged—just loved. Until the very end, he made sure to end each phone call with a "love you." Whenever Bob and Hermina would leave each other—to go to the store, to grab a cup of coffee—they'd always say, "I'll see you later; or I'll see you in heaven." We desperately miss Dad/Grandpa, but are so glad that they're together again walking the streets of gold. Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Hermina; daughter, MaryAnn; brother, Gordon; and in-laws, Alma and Jay Hamberg, and Betty and Ken VerHoeven. Bob is survived by his: Children, all of Holland Carol (Dean) Prince Paul (Judy) Plaggemars Mark (Elly) Plaggemars 10 grandchildren 4 great-grandchildren Brothers, of Holland, Harvey (Elaine) Plaggemars Earl (Lin) Plaggemars Sister-in-law, of Grand Rapids, Ruth Plaggemars. Funeral services are planned for 1:00pm Saturday, February 5, at Graafschap Christian Reformed Church, 5973 Church St., Holland, with Rev. Philip Kok officiating. Burial will be in Graafschap Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday, February 4, from 4-7pm and also prior to the service on Saturday from 11:30am-12:30pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Holland Christian Schools. Arrangements are by Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home and condolences may be left online at www.langelandsterenberg.com.