Robert ‘Bob’ Van Diest

Robert “Bob” Van Diest, age 89, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 15.

Bob passed peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and children. Bob was passionate about his faith, his family and life.

Bob was born Oct. 17, 1933 in Lynden to parents, Peter and Bernice (Koetje) Van Diest. 

He attended Nooksack schools through the eighth grade. 

On Dec. 7, 1951 Bob married Janice Vanderhage and together they made their home in Sumas. 

Bob and Janice owned and operated a registered Jersey dairy farm. 

Their seven children helped with chores, milking, and with showing cows at the Northwest Washington Fair as a highlight of the year. Bob also owned and operated Van Diest Livestock Hauling. 

He enjoyed fast pitch and later senior softball in Mesa, Arizona and was a member of Sumas Christian Reformed Church.  

Bob is survived by his wife of 71 years, Janice; children, Valerie Tremelling, Karen (Mark) Smith, Diane (Mike) Button, Ken Van Diest, Christine (Scott) Cline, and Laurie (Ginger) Goble-Van Diest; son-in-law Bill Nelson, 19 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, and 17 great-great-grandchildren. He’ll be greatly missed by his sister Helen (Bob) Hogarth, and numerous other nieces and nephews. 

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, brother Jim (Billie) Van Diest, sisters June (Rich) Heutink and Clara Zoet (Martin Visser and Ron Zoet), daughter Shirley Nelson in 2019, and daughter-in-law, Kathy Van Diest in 2010, 

You are invited for visitation on Tuesday, March 21 from 5-7 p.m. at Gillies Funeral Home.

A graveside committal will be Wednesday, March 22 at 10 a.m. in Monumenta Cemetery followed by an 11 a.m. memorial service at Sumas Christian Reformed Church, with lunch to follow. 

Memorial donations are suggested to the Lighthouse Mission or the Sumas Christian Reformed Church-Hospitality. 

A special heartfelt thank you to Whatcom Hospice, our Sumas Christian Reformed Church family, North Cascade Cancer Center, and Dr. Casey O’Keefe. 

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.