Roger Feenstra

Roger Ernest Feenstra, 76, of Allendale, MI passed away peacefully on November 2 2018, surrounded by his family after a 6 year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Roger was born on October 3, 1942, to John and Joyce (Ykema) Feenstra of Allendale. He was a graduate of Unity Christian High School (1960), Calvin College (1964), and the University of Oklahoma (1975). He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother David Feenstra; and his mother and father-in-law, Jacob and Theresa Hutt, and his brothers and sister-in-law, Marlene and Walter Vanderbeek, Ralph Hutt, and Sydney Hutt. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Grace (Hutt); his sons, Brian (Judy) Feenstra, and David (Susan) Feenstra, and daughter, Lisa (Victor) Vandertol; grandchildren, Kelly, Zachary, Abbey, Nicholas, Jacob, Jennifer, Valerie, Sara and Samuel; sister, Janice (Herbert) Everman; brothers, Robert (Lorraine) Feenstra and Bernard (Cheryl) Feenstra; and sister-in-law, Margaret Feenstra. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Janet (Bob) Laroe, Grace Hutt, Janet Hutt, Terrie (Mike) Borduin, Gary (Roberta) Hutt, Sadie (Edison) O’Brien, Peter (Esther) Hutt, Bill (Marleen) Hutt, Alice Hutt, John (Elaine) Hutt, Jim (Rose) Hutt, Neil (Joyce) Hutt and many nieces and nephews. Roger married the love of his life, Grace, on June 26, 1965. After teaching high school for several years in McBain, MI, Roger’s love of earth science led him to pursue a Masters Degree and a PhD in Geology at the University of Oklahoma. He then worked as a petroleum geologist for several oil companies in Texas and Colorado. Roger loved living in Colorado because the mountains around him were a geologist’s dream. He had a passion for geology and was fascinated by the wonders of the earth and had an insatiable curiosity about the world around him. He spent many days working outside in the fields and mountains while teaching others about the wonders of God’s creation. He started his second career teaching earth sciences and Old Testament Bible at Covenant Christian Academy in Colleyville, Texas. He completed his teaching years teaching earth science and physics at Unity Christian High School and Geology at Calvin College. His passion for Christian education and learning was reflected in his students. His hobbies included World War II history, windmills, rocks, classical music, travel, flying, and the Space Program. He especially loved spending time working in his woods with a chainsaw. He is well known for his unique interests like collecting yearly Christmas tree stumps, Popsicle sticks, WWII books, and many, many rocks. His love of the church and his solid faith shone through as he served as Elder and Deacon in every church they attended. He particularly enjoyed the home visits with congregation members. He was a Godly example to others and passed on his strong Christian faith to his children and grandchildren. Roger rarely sat still and was always reading, learning, walking, biking, or cutting firewood for his furnace. His “wanderlust” took him across the United States and many other countries including Japan, China, Europe, and Norway, just to name a few. He completed two cross country bicycle trips with Sea to Sea, a Christian organization that raised money to fight poverty. His passion for history led him to explore the remnants of the Erie Canal and to follow the Oregon Trail from beginning to end. At another time, he drove across the country just to look at windmills. He was an avid reader, lifelong learner, and in his teaching years, passed on his knowledge and sense of curiosity to hundreds of young people who had the privilege of having him as a teacher. His family is at peace, knowing that he is now whole and complete and sitting in the loving arms of his faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Matthew 25:21. Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Kindred Hospice and Grand Village Assisted Living and Memory Care, especially Cherie, Mariana, and Jessica. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, November 9, 2018, at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 107 LaGrave Avenue SE, Grand Rapids with Rev. Peter Jonker and Rev. John Steigenga officiating. Interment Allendale Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Thursday, November 8, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Allendale), 6651 Scott Street, and Friday at the church from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Unity Christian High School Roger Feenstra Scholarship Fund for study in the Natural Sciences or to Kindred Hospice.