Robert William Dykstra

ROBERT WILLIAM DYKSTRA (BOB) Bob was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Albert W. and Martha (Dornbos) Dykstra on May 10, 1937. He attended grade school, Junior High and two years of High School before the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona when he was sixteen. He was very proficient on the trumpet and French Horn and was selected for All City Band and proudly played trumpet with the marching band in Holland, Michigan during Tulip Time! Bob attended Phoenix Christian and Phoenix Union High Schools his last two years and then returned to Michigan to attend Davenport Institute of Business. Upon graduation there, he served as a reservist in the U.S. Army Intelligence Division.

He met his wife, Lora, on November 1, 1959, which was pretty much love at first sight for both, and they married on June 2, 1960. Their family grew to include daughter Rebecca, son Daniel (deceased as an infant) and daughter Nancy. It is impossible to list all his affiliations and awards over the years, as he did not like lengthy obituaries, but one of the most significant would be his serving on the Board of Campus Crusade for Christ since 1957. He was a member of both the Arizona Board and the Argentina Board, as well as being an active member of Christian Business Men's Club. Bob was a photographer and acted as a stringer for both the Arizona Republic and the Phoenix Gazette. His full-time occupation was as a Claims Adjuster and Accident Investigator for several insurance companies throughout the years. He retired with USAA Insurance in 1998.

In 2000, Bob and Lora moved to Sun Lakes and enjoyed traveling and the slower pace of life. Bob experienced medical issues with Alzheimer's and Parkinson and has been in an Assisted Living Facility for the past three years.

He is survived by his wife, Lora, daughters Rebecca Raabe, and Nancy Dykstra, son-in-law Thomas Raabe, Grandson Jason Raabe, Granddaughter Jenessa Raabe, Grandson Aidan Curtin, Granddaughter Zoe Curtin, Brother Edwin J. Dykstra, Sister Ruth Goldman, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will be having a private inurnment January 10th, 2025 at 10:30am and Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery.