Robert Nanninga

Robert D. Nanninga, age 87, of Holland, passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2019. Bob was born August 8, 1932, in Kalamazoo. After graduation he served in the Marine Corps, during the Korean War, and was awarded the Purple Heart. He married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Van Eyk, on May 29, 1953. After graduation from WMU, he taught in Indiana and Holland. In 1964, he and Betty moved to Annville, Kentucky, to work for the Reformed Church in America at Annville Institute. He taught Industrial Arts and helped start the first volunteer fire department in Annville. In 1975, the family moved to Harrogate, Tennessee, where Bob and Betty worked at Lincoln Memorial University. They returned to Michigan in 1980, and Bob worked as Industrial Arts teacher at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. He left in 1989 to begin making Shaker furniture. Bob was a longtime member of Community Reformed Church in Zeeland, serving as elder and deacon. Besides woodworking and fishing, Bob loved music. In 2012, he began line dancing at Evergreen Commons, eventually adding ballroom dancing. He loved the dancing and appreciated the encouragement, warmth, and the affection of his classmates and friends. Bob leaves his daughters: Valerie Engeltjes (Ira), Denise Koops (Blaine), and Lynn Edwards (Ray); grandchildren Megan, Sean and Melanie, and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty (2010); parents, Henry and Cora Nanninga; siblings: Lois Van Dalson, Henry Paul Nanninga. Funeral services will be at 11:00am on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 South State Street, Zeeland, MI 49464. Visitation will from 4:00-6:00pm on Monday, December 2, also at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are to Hospice of Holland. www.yntemafh.com