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Harold Aarde Obituary
Harold "Rich" Aarde
Born August 12, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan, as a child he moved to Tenino, WA, then on to Tillamook, Oregon. There he gained a great passion and skill for fishing. In 1958 he joined the navy during this time he met his partner for life, his wife, Erna.
Rich's greatest joys in life were his family, friends, music, fishing, and traveling in his RV with the San Juanderers Camping Club. The thing that always added extra joy to his life was playing Santa every year, which whether in costume or not kids always thought of him as Santa.
Through his band "Sundown" and on his own, he touched many with his gift of music. He always had a sparkle in his eyes when performing for family, friends and strangers. Strangers were not strangers for long, with his smile, music and jokes everyone he met was a friend in no time at all.
Rich will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but the good Lord only wants the best, and he needed a new member for Heavens band.
Rich leaves behind his wife of 45 years, Erna; his son Greg and his wife. Shelly; daughter, Angela and her husband, Jon Coffman; grandkids "Grandpa's Boys", David and Danny, and his "Special Girl", Ashley.
Family in Oregon, brother, Ricky Aarde; sisters, Jean Labree, and Linda Warren; step-father, Richard Aarde; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his family Rich leaves many, many friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family request any memorials be donated to the American Cancer Society, hopefully to make a difference in someone else's life.
The family will be holding an open house memorial from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., on June 2, 2007, at his daughters' home, 12414 56th Avenue N.E., Marysville, WA. 98271. Please come and share a memory with the family, to honor a loving family man.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Harold Aarde
Erna Aarde
June 25, 2007
Thank you all my Special Family and Friends for the many messages left here. Rich was my love and my best friend. I miss him so much. Rich was called very appropriately by my friend "Gentle Ben". What will I do without you, Rich. I love you.
Also, thank you, Linda and Brian Gardner, my cousins, for maintaining this guest book.
Gregory Aarde
June 5, 2007
A very special Thank-you to all. It meant a great deal to see all who knew my father. He was a special man to many. Through the years as your life goes on take a moment to appreciate the simple things and to thank God for family. It was the one thing that my father always put first. Without your family you have nothing. As you take that moment to say thank-you for your family, smile because Rich is smiling too knowing you also put your family first. Take a moment out of your busy schedules to look a family member in the eye and say I love you so they can see you mean it. Life is to short to not say I love you to those that you love. One day you might not have that chance again, and wish you did. Again thank-you to all. Remember my father, his music, his laughter, his friendship. His words of wisdom he shared with me, "Family is what matters, they will be there for you when no one else will." Dad I love you, I will never forget you and I pray I can be half the man you were. Greg
Mandy & Tim Johnson
June 4, 2007
Tim and I came into the family late but Rich always made it seem like we were old friends. He always made me smile and laugh. I enjoyed listening to him sing and play jokes. I will miss his big smile! He will always be in our thoughts.
Angela Coffman
June 4, 2007
Thank you for coming on Saturday my dad would of been so happy he loved everybody. He loved to travel with the San Juanderers and play his music and especially play santa he loved to make little kids smile. My dad was wonderful I could not be more blessed to have of had a dad like him. I could always call my dad for anything and he would drop everything for me even if it was just to listen. His grandchildren were his life he loved them so much.I miss him so much. I was blessed because not everyone can say they live right next door to there parents and grandparents so I was able to spend all the time I wanted to with my dad and I took advantage of that.Thank you again in sharing the celebration of life of the most terrific man I know my dad. I love you dad and miss you so much,Angela
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Gene and Janet Bastys
June 3, 2007
Erna and family,
We want you to know how much Rich meant to us. He was always the shining star in our San Juanderers Travel Club. We will never forget all of the evenings he entertained us with his wonderful singing and humor. He was the best Santa ever and he will be missed even more at Christmas time. We were so happy that he could entertain us all last December.We also have wonderful memories of Yuma. We had hoped for just one more year with you there.
We love you.
Maria Merceri (Boekenoogen)
June 1, 2007
I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. I lived down the road from you in Whispering Firs. Angela, Donna and myself used to play together. I had the pleasure of running into Harold and Erna twice in the last year or so. Your family was always so nice. My deepest sympathies.
Scott & Sandy Ziegler
May 31, 2007
We first met Rich and Erna in Kelowna, B.C. and were surprised to learn that this gentle giant had a talent for music and entertaining the motor home club each evening. His rich voice carried throughout the park and drew many other campers into our circle. We all looked forward to seeing Rich and Erna at all San Juanderer outings and looked forward to spending time with him and his jokes and good humor. He will be thoroughly missed by all and we will remember him always. Erna we love you and look forward to seeing you soon. Our condolences to the family and friends.
Jamie Orendor
May 29, 2007
Rich was a good kind man. I will remember all his funny jokes and his singing. He will be missed by all who knew him. Love and Prayers are sent to his family.Love, Jamie, Jeremy & Dylan Orendor
Valerie Worthen Cowell
May 29, 2007
My deepest sympathy goes out to the family of Rich Aarde. He will be greatly missed by all who had the honer of knowing him. He had a warm heart and kind and gentle way.
Kathleen Halverson
May 29, 2007
Rich, Erna and the kids were long time neighbors in the Whispering Firs area. I remember summer evenings listening to his band practicing in the garage. It always made me smile.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Erna, Greg, Angela and their families. Rich was a good person who will be missed very much.
Kathy Halverson and family
Tammy McNabb (Gardner) & Family , Doug (Skip) Gardner & Family
May 29, 2007
God looked around his Garden and found an empty place. He then looked down upon his earth and saw your loving face.
He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. His Garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain. And knew that you would never get well on earth again.
He saw your path was difficult, he closed you tired eyes, He whispered to you "Peace be Thine" and gave you wings to fly.
When we saw you sleeping so calm and free of pain, We would not wish you back to earth to suffer once again.
You've left us precious memories, your love will be our guide, You live on through your children, you're always by our side.
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. For part of us went with you on the day God called you home.
Lots of love to you, love your Canadian Cousins -
Tammy McNabb (Gardner) & Family Doug (Skip) Gardner & Family
May 29, 2007
God looked around his Garden and found an empty place. He then looked down upon his earth and saw your loving face.
He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. His Garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain. And knew that you would never get well on earth again.
He saw your path was difficult, he closed you tired eyes, He whispered to you "Peace be Thine" and gave you wings to fly.
When we saw you sleeping so calm and free of pain, We would not wish you back to earth to suffer once again.
You've left us precious memories, your love will be our guide, You live on through your children, you're always by our side.
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. For part of us went with you on the day God called you home.
John Heinz
May 28, 2007
Our heart goes out to my family for their loss. I will always have great childhood memories that Rich helped create;camping,singing and making us laugh at his jokes. He raised two great kids! We will miss you.
Love John,Serena, Courtney and Cody.
Bev and Richard Williams
May 28, 2007
Words are inadequate to express the sadness we feel with the loss of Rich. Rich was very special to our family. When our mother(his aunt-in-law) would go down to visit, he never ever forgot her Winchell's donuts. She loved him dearly and especially when he sang to her. He remembered this and honoured her wish and sang at her funeral. I will always remember this giant of a man standing there singing and tears streaming down his face. You will always be in our hearts Rich!!
Erna, Greg, Angela and your families, we share in your grief and we send our love.
Your Canadian Cousins
Bev and Richard
Jodie Tupling
May 28, 2007
May 28,2007
My prayers and thoughts are with you. I will always remember our camping trips to Thousand Trails and listening to your music.You will be Greatly Missed. Love Jodie
Walt and Darlene Heinz
May 28, 2007
May 28,2007
Our Prayers and Thoughts are with the family at this time of sorrow. We will always remember the good times and will miss you, Rich.
Love, Walt and Darlene
Greg Aarde
May 28, 2007
To those that remember my father thank-you. I am who I am today because of him. He taught right from wrong, mostly he taught me to be a gentle man and to look at all others as friends. My father always put his family first and foremost. I wish in my younger days I could of realized what a special gift I had. I can say the proudest day of my life was when my father stood beside me as my best man when I got married. Your best man should be your best friend and that he was. No matter what I did or what I said he was there. Anybody can become a parent, it takes a real special person to be a dad. My father was that special person, he was not only there for me, my friends knew growing up that they could count on him also. Dad thank-you for the memories, for who I am, for always being there even when most would have turned their backs. I will miss you greatly, I know that no matter where I go you will always be there. I love you, Dad.
I Believe in You.
Butch and Linda Gardner
May 28, 2007
Rich was a gentle giant of a man. His personality and kindness will always be remembered by our family.
He loved his family dearly and extended his love to others. He was quite a man. He will be missed but always remembered. God is with him and his family.
May 28, 2007
Our deepest sympathies, especially to our friends Greg and Shelly.
Wes & Teresa Cummings
john and lisa milless
May 27, 2007
RICH WILL BE MISSED DEARLY HE WAS LIKE MY OTHER DAD, HE ALWAYS WAS THERE FOR ME EVEN AFTER MY DAD JERRY PAST AWAY OVER 10 YEARS NOW. ANGELA WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE MY BEST FRIEND ERNA AND RICH WERE THE REASON MY PARENTS JERRY AND JUDY BEAN MOVED TO MARYSVILLE I'LL NEVER FORGET THE GREAT TIMES WITH THE AARDE FAMILY AND RICH WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART LOVE TO YOU ALL, AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU!! LOVE LISA[BEAN] MILLESS AND FAMILY
Jill Garratt
May 27, 2007
I have so many wonderful memories with him and his family, he made me feel like another daughter. His voice when he sang was priceless and sense of humor was like no other.I have great times like many camping trips I look a back at all the time. He will be missed by many.God Bless his family. Love much Jill Garratt AJ,Az
Bud Trubshaw
May 27, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with the Aarde and Coffman families now in their time of grief.I met Rich on my very first day at Boeing, April 15, 1988.I was 21 years old.I was led up to this mountain of a man in a white tank top undershirt and a big smile.He reminded me of a Greek fisherman, so my affectionate nick name for him became Zorba.He took me under his wing and showed me how to do my job.He made the awkward learning process fun.He was patient and he had great pride in his work.He always spoke of his family with loving pride, especially his grandkids.I swear the guy had a photographic memory for jokes. He knew thousands of them.And for the next 15 years he told me every one:)I'll miss Rich alot and I am grateful to have known him.Rest peacefully Rich.
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