Herman John Visscher

Lifetime resident of Everett, Washington, Herman John Visscher went to be with his Lord at the age of 84 on May 5, 2015. He left us peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. Herman was born in Everett on October 15, 1930, to Herman Koop Visscher and Sadie VanHeukelem Visscher, both emigrants from the Netherlands. He spent his early years at the farm in Homeacres along the Snohomish River. He attended 1st grade at Swan's Trail School. After moving to Everett he enjoyed his boyhood with his younger brother Ken. He attended Roosevelt Grade School and South Junior. He went on to graduate from Everett High where he lettered in track during his Junior and Senior years. Here he cultivated many long lasting friendships. After high school he started building houses with his dad. Once the Korean War broke out he enlisted in the Air Force. He was stationed at Lowry Field in Denver, Colo., Hickam field in Hawaii and Johnston Island in the Pacific. While in Denver he met his future wife Sadie Heeringa from Grand Rapids, Michigan. They married in 1953 in the Lee Street Church in Grand Rapids, Mich. and served in Great Falls, Montana, until the Korean War ended. At the close of the war, Herm and Sadie returned to Everett where he continued in the building trade with his dad as Visscher Builders. After his dad's retirement in 1967 he partnered with John Harry DeGroot. They built many homes, apartment buildings and a couple churches throughout the state. They held the business for 22 years until Herman's semi-retirement. Throughout his career, he established longtime relationships with those he met, worked alongside, and employed. Many of those whom he trained went on to successfully support their families in construction. At the time of his retirement, his son, Bryan moved back from Texas to partner with him for eleven years, working for low income families through the Everett City office of Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP). He continued to serve on their board until just recently. He and Sadie had four children: Carol, Sharon, John and Bryan. Herman was able to nurture and share with his children his love of the outdoors; camping, water skiing, swimming, hunting, fishing, and boating. He was an accomplished cross-handed golfer and enjoyed many a round with friends. In his retirement he and Sadie enjoyed trailering across the US and Canada, visiting his family's homestead in Saskatchewan and dear friends and family, unafraid of traveling remote dirt roads. He was a lifetime member of the Everett Christian Reformed Church and held many positions within the church throughout the years. Herman is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sadie; his brother Ken of Sacramento, Calif.; his children, Carol Bury (Rick), Sharon Westra (Paul) and Bryan Visscher (Memory); grandchildren, Becky (Kris), Jeremy (Jenn), Daniel (Anna), Hannah, Braeden, Samantha and two great grandchildren, Zach and Emmanuel; his sister-in-laws, Ruth Heeringa and Eleanor Heeringa. His parents and infant son, John preceded him in death. He worked at solving the world's problems with his buddies, and leaves one empty chair around the table at Café Amoré/Bargreen's Coffee Shop. He leaves another vacant seat in the front left church pew, and an even greater hole in our hearts. We are proud to call him husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. We love you. We look forward to seeing you again, because you spent a lifetime making everyone around you laugh. A memorial service will be held at the Everett Christian Reformed Church, 1429 McDougall at 1 p.m., Tuesday May 12, 2015. Public viewing at Solie Funeral Home Monday, May 11 from 9 - 4. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to East Central Ministries, 123 Vermont NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, or Christian Reformed World Renew (worldrenew.net).