Obituary of Robert Lawrence Dykstra

February 19, 1930 - Trossachs, Saskatchewan

July 31, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Bob Dykstra beloved husband of Lois Yvonne Fisch, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at the age of 92 years.

Bob was born in Trossachs, SK, on February 19, 1930. He graduated from Rockfield School and later went on to graduate from the Teacher’s College. He worked with CGTX (Canadian General Transit Company). He was also a member of the Calgary Oilmen's Bonspiel Association.

Bob accomplished much throughout his life and was particularly proud of his family. He had a passion for hunting, curling, and golfing. He will be most remembered for being an honest and honourable man, who loved his family.

One night I dreamed a dream. As I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord. After the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that at many times along the path of my life, especially at the very lowest and saddest times, there was only one set of footprints. This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it. "Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way, but I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life, there was only one set of footprints. I don't understand why, when I needed you the most, you would leave me." He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

Besides his loving wife, Bob is survived by his three sons, Ken Dykstra (Susan) of Drayton Valley, AB, Larry Dykstra (Valerie) of Calgary, AB, and Greg Dykstra (Samantha Piper) of Harrison Hot Springs, BC; two daughters, Donna Genereux (Ken) of Medicine Hat, AB and Susan Dykstra, of Calgary, AB; twelve grandchildren, Adam Dykstra (Lindsay) of Drayton Valley, AB, Kara Westerlund (Len) of Drayton Valley, AB, Amy Dykstra (Jake Blackwood) of Calgary, AB, Lindsay Dykstra (Fredrik Ambrosson) of Toronto, ON, Jaclyn Dykstra (Jesse Paul) of Calgary, AB, Kristen Telle (Devon) of Calgary, AB, Chelsey Sherloski (Craig Gavelin) of Calgary, AB, Mindy Lewis (John) of Medicine Hat, AB, Travis Genereux of Medicine Hat, AB, Bryn Dykstra of Campbell River, BC, Chessa Dykstra of Nanaimo, BC, Megan Goodman of Agassiz, BC; and sixteen great-grandchildren, Ivy, Kaleyha, Chance, Brielle, Ariana, Taylor, Wyatt, Jace, Carter, Alfie, Noah, Theodore, John, Charlie, Knox and Alice. Bob is also survived by his sister, Marian Holdstock, of Niagara Falls, ON, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Bob was predeceased by his first wife, Alice Marie Dykstra (nee Tornberg) in 1981, parents Irene Clara and Sidney Cornelius Dykstra; four brothers, Everette Dykstra, Richard Dykstra, Carl Dykstra, Harvey Dykstra; and his sister, Ellen Rogal.

A Memorial Service will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Dykstra’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Diabetes Canada, 220, 6223 – 2nd Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 1J5 Telephone: (403) 266-0620, ext. 1112, www.diabetes.ca.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the medical team at Peter Lougheed Center, the staff and medical team at The Lodge at Valley Ridge, as well as Dr. Louis Coetzee and family.

In living memory of Robert Dykstra, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.

Click Here to View Robert Dykstra's Memorial Card

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