Robert Vanopynen

Robert W. VanOpynen, age 78, passed away peacefully at home on April 18 after a short illness.  He was surrounded in love and care by his immediate family.  Bob was born on July 12, 1941 in Grand Haven, MI.  After graduating high school in 1959, he joined the Navy and served overseas as a cryptologic technician until his honorable discharge in 1962.  He subsequently served in the Naval Reserve for over 25 years. On October 23, 1964 he married his beloved wife Kathy and together they raised three children. Bob was a devoted family man and he lovingly cared for Kathy at home through her long struggle with dementia and until her recent death.  He was a kind and gentle soul who was very slow to anger and very quick to forgive.  Bob was a good athlete and excelled at football, track, softball and golf.  He was also a great fan of sports spectating including watching his children compete and watching all his favorite teams and players on TV.  Bob was a retiree of Eagle Ottawa Leather Company where he worked for over 30 years.  Bob was preceded in death by his wife Kathy, his father Herman VanOpynen, mother Margaret VanOpynen and brother Richard VanOpynen. He is survived by his daughters Tammy (Russ) Blake and Jayne (Robin Dykhouse) VanOpynen, son Randy (Val) VanOpynen, grandchildren Jason Murphy, Alex Kuieck, Autumn (Josh) Groelsma, Amber (Hayden) Gort, Michael VanOpynen and brother Roger (Linda) VanOpynen.  Donations can be made in Bob’s memory to the Side By Side Adult Care Program that Kathy participated in for six years. Side By Side Adult Care Program, 1256 Walker Ave NW, Grand Rapids MI 49504 https://hopenetwork.org/hope-network-foundation/donate/. An online guestbook may be signed at www.throopfh.com Throop Funeral Home, Coopersville Ph. 616-837-8161