Robert Ray Wallinga was born on June 6, 1935, in Hull, Iowa to Henry J. and Mathilda(Groen)Wallinga. He started his primary education at Garfield No.6 and then went on to Sheldon High School in Sheldon, Iowa where he participated in music, track and theatre. Bob continued his education at Central College in Pella, Iowa where he majored in Biology and minored in being a parnkster. Summers were enjoyed at home working at the Verschoor Chevrolet dealership. During college, he made lifelong friends and met his future wife, Darlene Clair Van Zomeren, on a choir hay ride.
Following their June 21, 1957, wedding at the Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton, Iowa, Bob and Darlene moved to Holland, Michigan where Darlene taught elementary school vocal music and Bob attended Western Theological Seminary. Three great years were spent in Holland studying, growing and making good friends.
Bob's ministry led them to the Washington Reformed Church in Ackley, Iowa and comfortable rural surroundings with a warm, welcoming congregation. The congregation continued to be welcoming when a son, Thomas J., joined the
Wallinga family in March of 1964, as the first baby in the parsonage in 30 years.
Later that year, Bob was called to serve a newly established church in Sioux City, Iowa, Morningside Reformed Church. In January of 1967, the addition of a daughter, Mary Lynn, made the family complete. The positions in Ackley and Sioux City afforded the opportunity for significant professional growth and establishing countless meaningful friendships. The Wallingas enjoyed their developing partnership of leading a church through ministry, music and fun fellowship.
In 1977, Bob accepted an invitation from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa to become their Director of Development. He enjoyed seven great years working and traveling in support of an institution that provided students with higher education grounded by strong Christian beliefs. The move to Northwestern led to 25 years in a much beloved Orange City community where the Wallingas enjoyed active involvement in the city, the American Reformed Church and a Bible study group that existed for 20 years.
Bob's last position in his career was as the Financial Resource Consultant for the Heartland Synod in the Reformed Church's Orange City, Iowa office. Bob particularly appreciated the opportunity to work with a staff that was united in a mission to help grow new churches.
Retirement led to more time with family and friends, traveling, golfing and serving as the part-time Pastor of Calling at American Reformed Church. A move to Pella in 2002 allowed Bob and Darlene to reunite with old friends, volunteer and spend time with extended family while serving as the interim pastor at the Bridgeway Reformed Church in Ames, Iowa. Bob had always enjoyed his memberships in the Lions and Kiwanis Service Clubs, as well as the Pella Golf & Country Club, but especially enjoyed Rotary and recently served as the President of the Pella Rotary Club. He was presently an active member of the Second Reformed Church in Pella.
On September 14, 2011, Bob passed away peaacefully at his home in Pella at the age of 76 years. He is survived by his wife, Darlene; son, Tom of Washington, DC; daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Rick Mathys of Chicago, IL; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Janice(Van Zomeren)and George Beran of Ames, Iowa, Bonnie(Van Zomeren)Bailey of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Mary Van Zomeren of San Rafael, California; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Dick Van Zomeren and Joey of Mason City, Iowa, Mark Van Zomeren and Renae of Leighton, Iowa; and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, Henry and Mathilda Wallinga; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gerrit and Avis(Van Houweling)Van Zomeren and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Bailey.
Memorials may be designated for The Robert Wallinga Foundation For Leadership Development. Burial in Portergrove Cemetery.
Following their June 21, 1957, wedding at the Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton, Iowa, Bob and Darlene moved to Holland, Michigan where Darlene taught elementary school vocal music and Bob attended Western Theological Seminary. Three great years were spent in Holland studying, growing and making good friends.
Bob's ministry led them to the Washington Reformed Church in Ackley, Iowa and comfortable rural surroundings with a warm, welcoming congregation. The congregation continued to be welcoming when a son, Thomas J., joined the
Wallinga family in March of 1964, as the first baby in the parsonage in 30 years.
Later that year, Bob was called to serve a newly established church in Sioux City, Iowa, Morningside Reformed Church. In January of 1967, the addition of a daughter, Mary Lynn, made the family complete. The positions in Ackley and Sioux City afforded the opportunity for significant professional growth and establishing countless meaningful friendships. The Wallingas enjoyed their developing partnership of leading a church through ministry, music and fun fellowship.
In 1977, Bob accepted an invitation from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa to become their Director of Development. He enjoyed seven great years working and traveling in support of an institution that provided students with higher education grounded by strong Christian beliefs. The move to Northwestern led to 25 years in a much beloved Orange City community where the Wallingas enjoyed active involvement in the city, the American Reformed Church and a Bible study group that existed for 20 years.
Bob's last position in his career was as the Financial Resource Consultant for the Heartland Synod in the Reformed Church's Orange City, Iowa office. Bob particularly appreciated the opportunity to work with a staff that was united in a mission to help grow new churches.
Retirement led to more time with family and friends, traveling, golfing and serving as the part-time Pastor of Calling at American Reformed Church. A move to Pella in 2002 allowed Bob and Darlene to reunite with old friends, volunteer and spend time with extended family while serving as the interim pastor at the Bridgeway Reformed Church in Ames, Iowa. Bob had always enjoyed his memberships in the Lions and Kiwanis Service Clubs, as well as the Pella Golf & Country Club, but especially enjoyed Rotary and recently served as the President of the Pella Rotary Club. He was presently an active member of the Second Reformed Church in Pella.
On September 14, 2011, Bob passed away peaacefully at his home in Pella at the age of 76 years. He is survived by his wife, Darlene; son, Tom of Washington, DC; daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Rick Mathys of Chicago, IL; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Janice(Van Zomeren)and George Beran of Ames, Iowa, Bonnie(Van Zomeren)Bailey of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Mary Van Zomeren of San Rafael, California; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Dick Van Zomeren and Joey of Mason City, Iowa, Mark Van Zomeren and Renae of Leighton, Iowa; and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, Henry and Mathilda Wallinga; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gerrit and Avis(Van Houweling)Van Zomeren and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Bailey.
Memorials may be designated for The Robert Wallinga Foundation For Leadership Development. Burial in Portergrove Cemetery.
Robert Ray Wallinga was born on June 6, 1935, in Hull, Iowa to Henry J. and Mathilda(Groen)Wallinga. He started his primary education at Garfield No.6 and then went on to Sheldon High School in Sheldon, Iowa where he participated in music, track and theatre. Bob continued his education at Central College in Pella, Iowa where he majored in Biology and minored in being a parnkster. Summers were enjoyed at home working at the Verschoor Chevrolet dealership. During college, he made lifelong friends and met his future wife, Darlene Clair Van Zomeren, on a choir hay ride.
Following their June 21, 1957, wedding at the Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton, Iowa, Bob and Darlene moved to Holland, Michigan where Darlene taught elementary school vocal music and Bob attended Western Theological Seminary. Three great years were spent in Holland studying, growing and making good friends.
Bob's ministry led them to the Washington Reformed Church in Ackley, Iowa and comfortable rural surroundings with a warm, welcoming congregation. The congregation continued to be welcoming when a son, Thomas J., joined the
Wallinga family in March of 1964, as the first baby in the parsonage in 30 years.
Later that year, Bob was called to serve a newly established church in Sioux City, Iowa, Morningside Reformed Church. In January of 1967, the addition of a daughter, Mary Lynn, made the family complete. The positions in Ackley and Sioux City afforded the opportunity for significant professional growth and establishing countless meaningful friendships. The Wallingas enjoyed their developing partnership of leading a church through ministry, music and fun fellowship.
In 1977, Bob accepted an invitation from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa to become their Director of Development. He enjoyed seven great years working and traveling in support of an institution that provided students with higher education grounded by strong Christian beliefs. The move to Northwestern led to 25 years in a much beloved Orange City community where the Wallingas enjoyed active involvement in the city, the American Reformed Church and a Bible study group that existed for 20 years.
Bob's last position in his career was as the Financial Resource Consultant for the Heartland Synod in the Reformed Church's Orange City, Iowa office. Bob particularly appreciated the opportunity to work with a staff that was united in a mission to help grow new churches.
Retirement led to more time with family and friends, traveling, golfing and serving as the part-time Pastor of Calling at American Reformed Church. A move to Pella in 2002 allowed Bob and Darlene to reunite with old friends, volunteer and spend time with extended family while serving as the interim pastor at the Bridgeway Reformed Church in Ames, Iowa. Bob had always enjoyed his memberships in the Lions and Kiwanis Service Clubs, as well as the Pella Golf & Country Club, but especially enjoyed Rotary and recently served as the President of the Pella Rotary Club. He was presently an active member of the Second Reformed Church in Pella.
On September 14, 2011, Bob passed away peaacefully at his home in Pella at the age of 76 years. He is survived by his wife, Darlene; son, Tom of Washington, DC; daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Rick Mathys of Chicago, IL; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Janice(Van Zomeren)and George Beran of Ames, Iowa, Bonnie(Van Zomeren)Bailey of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Mary Van Zomeren of San Rafael, California; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Dick Van Zomeren and Joey of Mason City, Iowa, Mark Van Zomeren and Renae of Leighton, Iowa; and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, Henry and Mathilda Wallinga; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gerrit and Avis(Van Houweling)Van Zomeren and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Bailey.
Memorials may be designated for The Robert Wallinga Foundation For Leadership Development. Burial in Portergrove Cemetery.
Following their June 21, 1957, wedding at the Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton, Iowa, Bob and Darlene moved to Holland, Michigan where Darlene taught elementary school vocal music and Bob attended Western Theological Seminary. Three great years were spent in Holland studying, growing and making good friends.
Bob's ministry led them to the Washington Reformed Church in Ackley, Iowa and comfortable rural surroundings with a warm, welcoming congregation. The congregation continued to be welcoming when a son, Thomas J., joined the
Wallinga family in March of 1964, as the first baby in the parsonage in 30 years.
Later that year, Bob was called to serve a newly established church in Sioux City, Iowa, Morningside Reformed Church. In January of 1967, the addition of a daughter, Mary Lynn, made the family complete. The positions in Ackley and Sioux City afforded the opportunity for significant professional growth and establishing countless meaningful friendships. The Wallingas enjoyed their developing partnership of leading a church through ministry, music and fun fellowship.
In 1977, Bob accepted an invitation from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa to become their Director of Development. He enjoyed seven great years working and traveling in support of an institution that provided students with higher education grounded by strong Christian beliefs. The move to Northwestern led to 25 years in a much beloved Orange City community where the Wallingas enjoyed active involvement in the city, the American Reformed Church and a Bible study group that existed for 20 years.
Bob's last position in his career was as the Financial Resource Consultant for the Heartland Synod in the Reformed Church's Orange City, Iowa office. Bob particularly appreciated the opportunity to work with a staff that was united in a mission to help grow new churches.
Retirement led to more time with family and friends, traveling, golfing and serving as the part-time Pastor of Calling at American Reformed Church. A move to Pella in 2002 allowed Bob and Darlene to reunite with old friends, volunteer and spend time with extended family while serving as the interim pastor at the Bridgeway Reformed Church in Ames, Iowa. Bob had always enjoyed his memberships in the Lions and Kiwanis Service Clubs, as well as the Pella Golf & Country Club, but especially enjoyed Rotary and recently served as the President of the Pella Rotary Club. He was presently an active member of the Second Reformed Church in Pella.
On September 14, 2011, Bob passed away peaacefully at his home in Pella at the age of 76 years. He is survived by his wife, Darlene; son, Tom of Washington, DC; daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Rick Mathys of Chicago, IL; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Janice(Van Zomeren)and George Beran of Ames, Iowa, Bonnie(Van Zomeren)Bailey of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Mary Van Zomeren of San Rafael, California; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Dick Van Zomeren and Joey of Mason City, Iowa, Mark Van Zomeren and Renae of Leighton, Iowa; and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, Henry and Mathilda Wallinga; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gerrit and Avis(Van Houweling)Van Zomeren and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Bailey.
Memorials may be designated for The Robert Wallinga Foundation For Leadership Development. Burial in Portergrove Cemetery.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
