LifeStoryNet.com

Life Story Funeral Homes®
The exclusive providers of the Life Story Experience

 

Life Story Funeral Homes®
The exclusive providers of the Life Story Experience

Donald Hiemstra

January 22, 2015
Kalamazoo, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/obituary-default.jpg

Obituary


Print

Hiemstra, Donald Neil Passed peacefully on Thursday, January 22, 2015. He was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and had resided in the Newport News area since 1971. He proudly retired from the US Air Force after 30 years of service at Langley Air Force Base as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1988. Don was preceded in death by his parent's Cornelius (Neil) Hiemstra and Jeanette Gruizenga Hiemstra of Kalamazoo, MI, and his first wife of 46 years, Melva Pierce Hiemstra and their son, Douglas Hiemstra (survived by Patty White). He is survived by his loving second wife of 9 years, Sarah Duke Hiemstra, and children, Thomas Hiemstra of Queen Creek, AZ (Cathy), Patricia Hiemstra Terrill of Yorktown, VA (Chet), Scott Hiemstra of Crescent, PA (Lorie), Kevin Duke of Yorktown, VA (Paula), and Deborah Duke Sumblin of Hubert, NC (Gary). He is also survived by grandchildren, Leslie Summerlin, Ashley Smith, Jennifer Bassett, Kayla Hiemstra, Tyler Hiemstra, Julia Hiemstra, Andrew Duke, Emily Duke, Chad Sumblin, Jennifer Brown, and Ryan Sumblin, and nine great-grandchildren, and their beloved dog, Dana Rose. Don is also survived by brothers, Robert Hiemstra (Erselle) of Hot Springs, AR and Kenneth Hiemstra (Sue) of Bad Axe, MI, and sister, Cheryl Hiemstra Stephens (Ray) of Kalamazoo, MI. Don graduated from Portage Central High School in Michigan in 1956, and later graduated with honors with his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from St Leo University in Newport News, VA. During his years of military service, Don served as an aircraft mechanic, a flight engineer, and a training manager. During his maintenance and flying years, he traveled the world with his family, living in Texas, Maine, Japan, Hawaii, North Carolina, Philippines, Virginia, and Spain. During the four years his family was in the Philippines, he spent most of his time flying C-130s in Vietnam. Don earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Distinguished Presidential Unit Citation, and Vietnam Service Medal with 8 Bronze Service Stars, and countless others. Since his retirement, he has remained an active member of the TAC Tankers Association. After his retirement from the Air Force, Don worked as a Training Support Acquisition Specialist for the Army Training Center (ATSC) at Fort Eustis, VA. He served as Project Officer and Contracting Officer's Representative in all aspects of the contract life cycle for many years. He retired after 14 years of service. Don was a very devoted member of Christ United Methodist Church, continuing to attend services on-line even after his illness worsened over the past nine months. His devotion and service to the Boy Scouts of America spanned over 45 years. In more recent years, he acted as the Chartered Organization Representative of Christ United Methodist Church for Troop 43. A college scholarship was named in his honor for the Elwood Carter & Donald Hiemstra Scholarship. Don's hobbies included NASCAR racing and working on old cars, always hoping to fully restore his own 1940 Mercury. He also enjoyed his Motor Home, spending many happy trips with Sarah, family, and friends. Don loved his family, his church, the Boy Scouts and his many friends and co-workers. He was loved dearly by all who knew him and will be truly missed. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, January 26, 2015, at Christ United Methodist Church in Newport News. Interment will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Sunday, January 25, at Amory Funeral Home, Grafton. Donations in Don's memory may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 133 Deep Creek Road, Newport News, VA, 23606.