Dr. Lambert R. VanderKooi of Portage, Michigan, passed into glory to be with his Savior and Lord on Nov. 17, 2015, at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Lambert was born in Lynden on Jan. 8, 1935, to the late Ray and Dena (Heeringa) VanderKooi. He graduated from Lynden Christian High School and Calvin College and received his PhD from the University of Michigan. On July 3, 1965, he was united in marriage to Agatha Lamain. He was a member of Second Christian Reformed Church. He served as an elder and an adult Bible study leader at Grace Christian Reformed Church. Lambert was a professor of electrical engineering at Western Michigan University for 30 years, retiring in 2000. He also served on the board of the Kalamazoo Christian Schools.
Surviving are his wife, Agatha; children Ray (Shari), Joel (Jackie), Glen (Kori) VanderKooi and Beth (Greg) Rozeveld; 13 grandchildren: Lindsey, Alison, Abby VanderKooi, Anna, Leah, Lucas VanderKooi, Rebecca, Micah, Caleb, Joseph VanderKooi and Kate, Hope, Lily Rozeveld; sister Josie VanWerven; and in-laws Ken Kornelis, John (Hanke) Lamain, Corry (John) DenDekker, Gerrit (Bette) Lamain, Janny Ripma, Jim (Geri) VanStee, Willie (Tom) Karel and William (Tillie) Lamain.
Lambert was preceded in death by his siblings, Bertha Kornelis, Ruth (Gerrit) Bode and two infant brothers; brother-in-law William VanWerven and sister in-law Barb VanStee.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at 11 a.m. in Second Christian Reformed Church, 3015 Nichols Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49009, with Revs. Fred DeYoung and Mark VanStee officiating. Private interment was at Portage Central Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Rose Arbor Hospice Residence or the tuition assistance programs at Second CRC, Kalamazoo Christian Schools, Byron Center Christian School or Grand Rapids Christian Schools, in c/o the funeral home.
Friends and family may share a condolence message online at www.joldersma-klein.com.
