Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Gone But Not Forgotten-Ever

He is gone. He has been gathered with the saints by the Savior's side. I will miss him deeply. He was my trusted friend, my honored spiritual mentor and my biggest encourager in life. I will miss his soft comforting voice. I'll miss his deep chuckle and warm hug. I'll miss the encouraging words of blessing that poured from him with each and every e-mail I received from him. I'm so happy to have a file full of them. This is just one example; "May you be happy happy happy, contented and rewarded. May the Lord's presence be especially close, warm, energizing-filling your heart and life, and those who are around you. You were the "first fruits" and God made of you a very special "first fruit", May you live long and be a blessing to many."
His reference to first fruit is that I was the eldest grandchild of the Recker family. I thank God with all my heart that my Uncle Bob was so instrumental in the development of my thoughts and philosophies. He was a true man of God, a follower of Jesus. No holding back, no holding back. He loved life and didn't want to leave it. He was always busy busy busy with this or that writing or reading. He was a man that loved knowledge but was careful to keep it in the context of wisdom. What a guy.

Today, we will leave to go to the wake in Grand Rapids. The funeral will be tomorrow. Lauri made arrangements for us to stay with her dear friend that lives there. What would we do without children to make our road easier?

My heart grieves but only against the sin in this world that makes death inevitable. My uncle lived a long productive life. His Maker will surely welcome him with "well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the rest I have prepared for you".

Following is Uncle Bob's obituary.



Rev. Robert Richard Recker was born to William and Jessie (Staal) Recker on November 28, 1923 in Highland, IN, and, after a long life of humble service to the Lord, died at age 84 years on December 17, 2007 at Faith Hospice, Trillium Woods, surrounded by family. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Alrich Recker. He is survived by his loving and supportive wife of 60 years, Constance (Hoekstra) of Grand Rapids. Also surviving are his brothers and sister and their spouses in DeMotte, Indiana, Jim and Mary Recker, William and Corrine Recker, Selma and Ray Bierma; and his sisters-in-law, Dorothy Recker also of DeMotte and Margaret De Haan of Grand Rapids. Rev. Recker leaves six sons who are thankful for the loving and nurturing home he provided, and for his strong example of Christian leadership, Paul (Nancy) Recker, Bill (Linda) Recker, Ted (Eunice) Recker, Bob (Sandy) Recker, Tim (Judy) Recker, Mark (Diane) Recker, all of the Grand Rapids area. He leaves fifteen grandchildren, Daryl (Trudy) Recker, Kyle (Kate) Recker, Tara (Chris) Warwick; Rachael, Elizabeth, William and Hannah Recker; Jessica (Jeremy) Ward, Dena Recker; Anna, Caleb and Phillip Recker; Christina Recker, Brian (Beth) Recker, Carrie (Calvin) Scott. He also leaves six great-grandchildren, Natalie, Emily, Samantha, and Maley Recker; Caeden and Addison Scott; and many nieces and nephews. Rev. Recker received his education from Calvin Theological Seminary, with a Bachelor of Theology in 1947 and Master of Theology in 1973. He also studied at Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam. He was ordained on June 13, 1947, and served the Christian Reformed Church in Momence, IL until 1949 when he became a missionary to Nigeria, West Africa. He served the young Christian Reformed Church in Nigeria for sixteen years, until 1965, and later became a member of the faculty at Calvin Theological Seminary where he stayed 21 years until his retirement in 1988. Visitation will be Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel with a memorial service at Oakdale Park Christian Reformed Church, 961 Temple St. SE, Grand Rapids on Thursday December 20, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Calvin Theological Seminary; CRC World Missions, Home Missions or Chaplaincy Ministry; CRWRC, or the mission ministry of one's choice. Zaagman Memorial Chapel
Published in the Grand Rapids Press on 12/18/2007.

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