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Roy VAN HEST Obituary
VAN HEST, Roy Michael (Big R)
September 5, 1962 - April 17, 2013
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Roy Michael Van Hest on April 17, 2013 with his loving mother Liz by his side. Roy had been living with and fighting colon cancer since February 2012. Roy was born September 5, 1962 in New Westminster. He is survived by his wife Kari, adoring son Hunter, mother Liz, brothers Pat and Tim (Kelli-Ann), sister-in-law Helen and many nieces and nephews. Roy is predeceased by his father Frank and brother Chris. Roy leaves behind his life-long friend Rod Jensen. Roy will leave a huge void in so many hearts as he touched the lives of his family and many friends, young and old. To know Roy was to love Roy. He will be missed deeply and will be carried in our hearts and minds forever as the loyal man he was. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC Cancer Foundation, 604-877-6040 or at
bccancerfoundation.com.
Delta Funeral Home (604) 946-6040
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
47 Entries
Leslie Jensen
May 1, 2013
I am truly sorry for the loss of Roy for his family, his many friends, and for his community. My brother, Rod Jensen loved Roy like a brother and whenever I saw Roy he was always smiling and joking. When I think of their relationship I recognize how special this was and that these lifelong and close kinds of relationships are rare and I am so thankful that Rod had this. I know how hard it will be for everyone who were close to Roy as his passing will leave a large empty space, but Roy's spirit, kindness, gentility and humour will live on. Peace and love to the Van Hest family and to all of Roy's friends.
Sherry Ross
April 30, 2013
“Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near; still loved, still missed and very dear.”
Our thoughts are with the Van Hest family at this time.
we all miss you "R", you were my MC and I was yours at your wedding. You were larger than life and I will greatly miss you..Love Beau
Neil Beaumont
April 30, 2013
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Lance Goshko
April 29, 2013
I have written and erased my thoughts for this guestbook numerous times. How do I even find the right words to share with the loss of my boyhood friend. From playing on the Peanuts lacrosse team to summertime swimming at the Steveston pool, my childhood memories are etched with Roy as a constant fixture in them. I was blessed to have a loving conversation with him just prior to his passing and although we lived different lives many miles apart that livelong connection, and the true love we had for each other was without a loss of beat. That conversation is one I will keep always in my heart as it showed what kind of man Roy truly was. Genuine, honest and as kind a person I have ever known. Yes, I lost a friend, but more than that I lost a brother and with it a piece of who I am. Rest now my friend. We will see each other again.
Eric Goshko
April 28, 2013
It is with great sadness that we heard of the passing of Big R. Condolences to the Van Hest family. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Shelley King
April 25, 2013
So sorry to hear the passing of Roy. I have so many great childhood memories of Roy. Reunions where always a great time to catch up and have a good laugh. My thoughts and prayers go out the Van Hest family at this difficult time.
Nina Grimshaw
April 25, 2013
My condolences - I'll say a prayer for the family - most of all his son, Hunter.
Nancy Schmidt
April 25, 2013
My deepest sympathy to the Van Hest Family. From our days on the tennis court to bagging soil at the store, you were always a great friend.
I will never forget you Roy.
Fenella McHattie
April 25, 2013
So sorry to hear the sad news. I have many childhood memories with Roy in them. My condolences to the family.
Carla De jong
April 25, 2013
Our condolences to the family for the loss of Roy.
Carla, Sid and Jan ( Richmond, BC
Sharon Lane
April 24, 2013
Tomorrow I will celebrate the gift of your friendship Big R. So many fond memories I have of you..my heartfelt sympathy to your family. Blessings, Winger xo
Ken Martin
April 24, 2013
Played lacrosse with Roy and against him to he'll always had a smile on his face even when you went to the #1road shop and the shop at #5 road shop but the one thing he was so much like his dad Roy you will be surely missed but never forgotten
Helen Hofmeester
April 24, 2013
It Runs deeper than frienship with Roy for me. He leaves me with so many good memories. Roy is Steveston High. He is Steveston,July 1st, Art Knapps, the games room in the house on NO 1 road. He was kind and good humoured. He was Big R. I feel the sadness of all his family and the enormous amount of friends he leaves behind. I love you Roy Van Hest...Honey Bee..xx
Veronika & Justina Krajsek
April 23, 2013
Our condolences to the family for your loss. May you cherish the memories of your times together to heal through this sad time.
April 23, 2013
We are all so sorry to hear that Roy has passed. He lit up a room when he entered - always smiling. He will never be replaced, but lucky for us, whenever we look at Hunter, Roy will shine through!
Linda & Brent and family xoxo
Marion Harper ( van Hattem)
April 22, 2013
LIz , Jeanette send me the sad news this evening, that Roy passed away. From afar ( Calgary) , I send you my condolences . Have strength and an extra hug for you
Lydia Duynstee
April 22, 2013
My condolences go out to Kari, Hunter, Oma Liz, Pat, Timmy, Kelli-Ann, Helen, and all the cousins. We had some much fun with you, cousin Roy, the summers you spent in sweet Cali, riding in your fast car. We love you and miss you, cousin Roy.
Kim Yorke
April 22, 2013
With a heavy heart, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Van Hest family. Nick, Zack and I send love to Hunter and Kari, you are in our thoughts.
Doria Dube
April 22, 2013
I am deeply saddened by the news of Roy's passing. He was a kind and gentle soul . I knew Roy since Lord Byng, where we all played together on the field at recess , had snowball fights and played square ball and gather tag . As we got older, I only saw Roy at reunions, and though we both had aged, I always saw the soul of that 10 year old boy who sat beside me in Mrs Horseman's grade 4 class, and a flood of fond memories would always make me smile. From all of us in the Dube family, our heartfelt condolences to the Van Hest clan.
Michele Laboucane
April 22, 2013
We are very sad to here the news of Roy, he was a very sweet and kind gentle man , our condolences are sent out to the family, and know that he will always be in our heart and forever in our memories R.I.P. my friend you truly will be missed
Merlin Oldejans
April 22, 2013
My deepest condolences to the Van Hest family, particularly his wife Kari and son Hunter. Much peace and strength as all of you grieve the loss of Roy.
Sincerely, Merlin Oldejans
Paul Bulk
April 22, 2013
My condolences to the family and the many friends. Although I did not know Roy that well, every time I saw him at the auction and we had a little chat, I walked away with a smile on my face.
Jos Stryk
April 22, 2013
My condolences to the Van Hest family, as well as to Roy's many friends.
Roy was a great guy who helped me a lot in my business. His sense of humour was legendary.
I will miss you big R!
Tim: Thank you and I wish you strength.
ronald bro
April 22, 2013
my friend since grade 1 love ya roy you will be miseed i remember all the way back the fields the ditches and everyone we started with the snow ball fights with are friends at lord byng iremember are lives as kids and the ones we have grown into you where always kind and a true friend gonna miss you and chris to all my friends i have met thru life i love you all this is truely a sad day i miss grade 1
Leanne (Fisher) Kievill
April 22, 2013
Truly sorry to hear of Roy's passing. He was a classmate of mine at Steveston High, but my clearest memories of him are the July 1 parades - driving the Art Knapp truck while runners delivered plants or seedlings to the throngs lining the streets. Now every time I look at the evergreen planted in our front yard after one such July 1, I will think of Roy. Heartfelt condolences to his family.
Sven, Maddi, Chase Eichen
April 22, 2013
Our hearts and prayers go out to the whole VAN HEST family. Big man ...Big smile... And even a bigger heart. I'm glad to have known you 30+ years you were always full of life and lived it to the fullest. Our family and community is deeply saddened and you will be greatly missed by all who knew you...so today I will step my garden drink in hand and look up ....till we meet again big guy.....Ly Bro
April 22, 2013
Roy's passing is a great loss to all who knew him. He was truly a wonderful guy - a gentle soul who always brought a smile whenever you saw him. He was never too busy to stop and talk. My deepest sympathy to Roy's family, his many friends and to all those who have worked with him. We will miss you Roy. Thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Yvonne Furano
Marianne, John and Elizabeth Kibblewhite
April 22, 2013
We were all so very sorry to hear about Roy's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time of loss. Roy was such a kind person who made everyone feel comfortable and welcome. He will be greatly missed.
Susie B
April 22, 2013
With deepest sympathy to the van Hest family.
Patti Mingee
April 21, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. We were happy to have known Roy... he was a good man who loved his family, his friends and the community of Richmond. He will be missed
Debbie Wilde
April 21, 2013
Heartfelt sympathies to the Van Hest family...I'll always remember Roy as a kind, warm person with a smile and laugh that filled the room. He will be greatly missed.
Glenn Nordal
April 21, 2013
I met Roy in foods 11 in Steveston high and we became fast friends , Roy was a big guy with a bigger heart and a smile that entered the room before he did , i'll truly miss him . Guess you and Neil Nicholson are cooking up a storm now hey Roy , gonna miss you big guy .
Eveline Skapski-Power
April 21, 2013
So sorry to hear of your loss, my deepest condolences to Liz and the rest of the family.
Carmelita Lopez
April 21, 2013
I am so saddened to hear of Roy's passing. My deepest condolences to his loving family. He was an amazing man who always brought a smile and a laugh where ever he was. He will deeply be missed.
Laureen Ramzan
April 21, 2013
I was very saddened to learn of the passing of Roy Van Hest. I had the pleasure of being a long time employee of his (over 13 years), and because of this relation, I felt I knew him as well as I did any of my own family members. He was a great businessman, leader, teacher, joker, friend and ultimate family man! He will be greatly missed by many people in the community. My thoughts & prayers go out to the entire Van Hest family and all of Roy's closest friends, during this very unfortunate time. We'll never forget ya "Big R"... may you rest in peace.
Ryan Hubbard
April 21, 2013
I was thinking about Roy as I worked in my garden this afternoon. I am amazed at all of the knowledge and skills that he passed on to me from the ages of 14-19 when I worked at the #1 Road store. From general life skills, to more specific garden knowledge, to the idea that everyone should read at least one editorial column in the newspaper each day, he affected my life in many positive ways. I am sorry to hear of his passing and my thoughts are with his family. Thanks for everything Big R!
Laureen Ramzan
April 21, 2013
I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Roy Van Hest. He was a great man, and as a long time employee of his (over 13yrs) he taught me so much about his business, sales and horticulture! He was a great boss, a great story teller and a true family man! He will be missed by many in the community. My thoughts & prayers go out to the entire Van Hest family, may "Big R", rest in peace....
April 21, 2013
A wonderful man, a great personality, one-of-a-kind story teller and Richmond celebrity. Roy taught me so much as my first employer, skills I carry with me today. He left us too soon, but will never be forgotten. From one Big R to another, you will be missed dearly. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Van Hest family at this difficult time, I am thinking of you all.
April 21, 2013
<3
Jim Bunting
April 21, 2013
My sympathies to the family and friends of Roy. The Van Hest's are a Richmond institution and Roy's passing will be felt not only by the family but also by the community.
April 21, 2013
Love and prayers to the families.
Jackie Bowen-Class of '81
Sharon Howells
April 21, 2013
So very sad.Roy was an amazing guy and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.Our thoughts and hearts are with the whole family.Sharon Howells and Mark Shadbolt
April 21, 2013
We are so sorry to hear the sad news of Roy's passing. Our heartfelt condolences to all the family.
Rick, Barb & Family
Melody Lam
April 21, 2013
I am sorry to learn of the passing of Roy. I will remember his gentle smile, his gregarious laugh and his sense of humour. He has touched so many lives. My thoughts and prayers go to the family, friends and his extended family at Art Knapp.
Cathy Andersen
April 21, 2013
I had the pleasure of doing business with Roy for many years. I was always appreciative of his fairness in dealing with suppliers. And that laugh! Who will ever forget that laugh? My condolences to both his close family and his extended Art Knapp family.
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