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Richard R “Rich” Brink

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Birth	:	6 May 1933 Fillmore, Allegan County, Michigan, USA
Death	:	19 Dec 2007 Michigan, USA
Burial	:	East Saugatuck Cemetery, Saugatuck, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.6818390, -86.0932312
Description	:	Rich Brink was a hardworking, dedicated man, a man full of faith in the Lord, and love for his family. He was a man as generous as he was grateful, who treated every day of his life as a great blessing. Rich was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, but more than anything, he was a man who taught us to appreciate our many blessings, just as he always did. Rich’s story began on a warm spring day in 1933, as the flowers began to bloom in Fillmore, Michigan. Those were such difficult days for so many people in this... Read More	Rich Brink was a hardworking, dedicated man, a man full of faith in the Lord, and love for his family. He was a man as generous as he was grateful, who treated every day of his life as a great blessing. Rich was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, but more than anything, he was a man who taught us to appreciate our many blessings, just as he always did. Rich’s story began on a warm spring day in 1933, as the flowers began to bloom in Fillmore, Michigan. Those were such difficult days for so many people in this country, which was caught in the grip of the Great Depression. Yet on May 6, 1933, Henry and Helena (Woordhuis) Brink found a reason to celebrate, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Richard. Rich joined his brothers Don, Roger and Victor and his sisters Marolyn, Carolyn and Virginia in the family’s home, a little farmhouse in Fillmore, just outside Holland. Rich was raised in the Immanuel Church, where his family was faithful members, and where his lifelong faith in the Lord was formed. Rich attended Sunnyside School through the eighth grade, and always confessed that recess was his favorite subject! He fondly remembered riding in the back of a horse-drawn wagon around the schoolyard as a boy, too. But like so many of his generation, he quit school to help out around the farm full-time, and to help his family any way he could. Soon, however, he’d have a family of his own to think about. Rich knew a pretty young girl named Carol Kievit at Immanuel Church, in 1951. She caught his eye, and she thought he was a “good-lookin’ dude,” too! So the two began dating, and two years later, the young couple was married right there in Immanuel Church, on September 18, 1953. The wedding got interesting, when one of Carol’s attendants, Barb Terpstra, got sick in the middle of it! Still, it couldn’t spoil the day for Rich. Marrying Carol was truly the greatest day of his life, in a life full of great days. The newlyweds headed to Little Rock, Arkansas for their honeymoon, and then settled into their new life together in the Holland area. Rich worked for his older brother Don to make ends meet, and to provide for his new bride and soon-to-be-growing family. Rich and Carol were blessed with four fine children over the years, Rod, Richard, Sally and Katie, who brought their parents such pride and joy. The family did much together over the years, especially the many camping trips they took in the summertime. Those were some of Rich’s fondest memories, sitting with his family by the fire. Rich worked for his brother until 1964, then he began working at the Holland Ladder Company. He was a hardworking man, who enjoyed his work and appreciated the work he had. Eventually he would finish his career at the City of Holland, working for the Street Department, which he enjoyed, as well. As hardworking as he was, Rich was also a man of devout faith, and never missed Sunday services. He even was instrumental in helping Rev. Audley Boeve to start a church in New Richmond, too. Rich and Carol began attending Rose Park Baptist Church for a time, and eventually they found their way back to Immanuel Church, back where it all began for the two of them. Rich became involved with the bus commitee at church because of his expertise in the mechanical area. Faith was very important to Rich, and he was very obedient to Christ. He also loved the classic hymns and Southern Gospel music, which always seemed to be on his radio at home or in his car. Three of his favorite songs were Where the Roses Never Fade, Showers of Blessings, and Power in the Blood. When he wasn’t listening to his Christian music, Rich enjoyed watching the Gaithers, Lawrence Welk, and Rejoice in the Lord on TV. Rich retired from the City of Holland in 1994, at the age of 61. He found plenty to keep him busy in retirement, though. He was a man of many loves, and many interests. He loved going out to eat, whether it was to Russ’ Restaurant, Ponderosa, Wendy’s or Fricano’s for some pizza, he loved it all. When he stayed home, Rich loved to barbecue. Rich loved spending time with his friends at the Evergreen Commons, whether it was in the workshop there, going to luncheons, or taking bus trips as a group. Rich also loved going around to flea markets and garage sales, trying to get the best deal he could with whatever he bought. He loved the “wheeling and dealing” part of it best of all. He also liked to buy and sell utility trailers. Rich loved to play his prized valve trombone, especially at church. He was very found of his collection of pocket watch fobs that he had collected over many years. But most of all, his family is what he cherished the most. His family meant everything to him, truly his greatest blessing. As the years progressed, Rich’s health began to decline. Sadly, Rich went home to be with his Savior on Wednesday, December 19, 2007. He was 74 years old. Rich was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a life so full of family, faith and fond memories. He was a man completely dedicated to the Lord, and to his family. Rich was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, whose faith and love lives on today in all who knew him. He will be greatly missed. Rich was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Helena, a brother Roger, and step-father, Milton Timmerman. Surviving is his loving wife Carol of 54 years; children-Rod and Susan Brink of Holland, Richard and Paula Brink of Hudsonville, Sally and Rick Taylor of Holland, and Katie and Mark De Jong of West Olive; 10 grandchildren-Jeff, John-Henry, Kyle, Becky, Brittney, Trevor, Adam, Andrew, Alex, and Aden;brothers and sisters-Don and Karen Brink of Hamilton, Victor Brink of Holland, Marolyn and Acie Ford of Memphis, TN, Carolyn and Bill Black of Holland, and Virginia and Roger Youngs of Largo, FL; in-laws-Joyce Harper of Holland, Bill and Linda Kievit of Holland, and Buster and Sindy Kievit of Fennville; step-brother Bernard and Helen Timmerman of Hamilton; step-sister-Marilyn and Neil De Haan of Cuttlerville; several nephews, nieces, and cousins. Memorial services will be held 11 am Saturday at the Immanuel Church with the Rev’s Audley Boeve and Robert Terpstra officiating. Burial will be in the East Saugatuck Cemetery. Visiting will be 7-9 pm Friday at the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes-Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street. Memorials may be made to the Parkinson’s Association of West Michigan or Evergreen Commons Wood Shop. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of Rich, or to sign the guestbook.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Richard R “Rich” Brink's memorial?
Richard R “Rich” Brink's memorial is located at: East Saugatuck Cemetery, Saugatuck, Allegan County, USA.
When did Richard R “Rich” Brink death?
Richard R “Rich” Brink death on 19 Dec 2007 in Michigan, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Richard R “Rich” Brink's memorial?
Latitude: 42.6818390
Longitude: -86.0932312

Family Members:

Parent

Henry E Brink

(1906 - 1974)

Helena Woordhuis Brink

(1912 - 2006)

Siblings

Roger Lee Brink

(1939 - 1961)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. East Saugatuck Cemetery
Saugatuck, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6818390, -86.0932312

2. Manlius Township Cemetery
Manlius Township, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6352770, -86.0883330

3. Woodcock Cemetery
Manlius Township, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6456700, -86.0355800

4. Riverside Cemetery
Hamilton, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6813000, -86.0049900

5. Gibson Cemetery
Laketown Township, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6962520, -86.1839640

6. Riverside Cemetery
Saugatuck, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6686211, -86.1924210

7. Overisel Settlers Cemetery
Overisel, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7287422, -86.0142589

8. Graafschap Christian Reformed Church Cemetery
Graafschap, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7524310, -86.1328970

9. All Saints Memorial Gardens
Saugatuck, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6562330, -86.2004740

10. Douglas Cemetery
Douglas, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6367111, -86.1881866

11. Overisel Cemetery
Overisel, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7318510, -86.0025290

12. Zion Lutheran Church Memorial Garden
Holland, Ottawa County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7692980, -86.1116280

13. Fennville Cemetery
Fennville, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5956001, -86.1260986

14. First Presbyterian Church Memorial Gardens
Holland, Ottawa County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7728180, -86.1006290

15. East Holland Cemetery
Fillmore Township, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7661018, -86.0436020

16. Hutchins Cemetery
Fennville, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5936012, -86.1342010

17. Graafschap Cemetery
Holland, Ottawa County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7694016, -86.1369019

18. Grace Episcopal Church Gardens
Holland, Ottawa County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7763770, -86.1111190

19. Pilgrim Home Cemetery
Holland, Ottawa County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7825012, -86.0894012

20. Henry Clay Alexander Memorial Garden
Douglas, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6359000, -86.2180640

21. Central Park Reformed Church Memorial Gardens
Holland, Ottawa County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7747600, -86.1575220

22. Oak Grove Cemetery
Fennville, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5797220, -86.0555550

23. Hope Church Memorial Garden
Holland, Ottawa County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7874985, -86.1088867

24. Valley Township Cemetery
Fennville, Allegan County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5863808, -86.0158280