NOTE: The obituary contributor Stacy Birdwell #50674309 did not provide a proper source citation. Looking online it was found on the Gillies Funeral Home & Cremation Services website.

Bob Terpstra, age 66, went home to his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Throughout his journey his faith in God never wavered and his love and appreciation for his family and friends continued to deepen. He maintained an incredible peace because he knew his God was in control. Bob was born on October 17, 1943, in Bellingham to Erwin and Johanna Terpstra. He grew up in Lynden and was a charter member of what he fondly referred to as Â"The C Street Gang.Â" He graduated from Lynden Christian High School in 1962 and then joined in the family business by working with his father and Uncle Gerald Polinder at Ferndale Grain. He then met and later married the love of his life, Nella Buys, on August 8, 1969. Together they raised five children who in turn blessed them with 13 grandchildrenÂ…and counting. Over the years he served his church as both a deacon and an elder. During BobÂ's retirement years he was able to pursue the things that brought him true joy. He carefully planned and took many driving trips around the U.S., read books reflecting on American wars and great moments in sports, volunteered at Sonlight CRC faithfully mowing the grounds, enjoyed music--especially singing with the King's Men of Song and spent many precious moments with his close and ever-growing family. He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Nella; 5 children, Carleen Jayson Polinder and grandsons Clayton and Kyle of Lynden, Sheri Ben Nydam and granddaughters Ellie and Alivia of Ferndale, Loren Tricia Terpstra and grandchildren Jakab, Charlie, Jonah, and Hannah of Lynden, Kristi Bill Sims and grandchildren Will, Maddie, Jack, and Jed of Coeur dÂ'Alene, Idaho, and Kara Chuck Millsap and granddaughter Alexis of Seattle; mother Johanna Terpstra of Lynden; 3 siblings, Harold Mavis Terpstra of Lynden, Gordon Cheryl Terpstra of Bellingham, and Doris Bob Libolt of Lynden; 6 in-laws, Hank Anne Buys of Yakima, Evie Arvid Hagen of Lynden, Gordon Florine Buys of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bob Bernice Buys of Quincy, Ron Marcia Buys of Quincy, and Dave Kathy Buys of Custer; aunt Shirley Polinder of Lynden; and numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Erwin Terpstra; father and mother-in-law, Gerrit and Elsie Buys; sisters-in-law Alta Weidner and Ruth Smit; and uncle, Gerald Polinder. Visitation hours will be Tuesday, September 14, from 6 to 8pm at Sonlight Community Church in Lynden. A celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, September 15, at 2pm at Sonlight Community Church, 8800 Bender Rd., Lynden. Private Family Burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in BobÂ's name can be made to Families of Hope Adoption Fund P.O. Box 86, Lynden, Washington, 98264, Lynden Christian Schools, 417 Lyncs Dr., Lynden, WA 98264 or Whatcom Hospice Foundation, 800 E. Chestnut St., Bellingham, WA 98225.