Richard Lee Bolt

Dick will be deeply missed by the love of his life for 60 years, Jacque (Idema); four children and spouses Jim and Tami Boomsma, Brian and Joni Bolt, Dan and Kate Bolt, and Mark and Melissa VanderMeulen. Other survivors who will miss his larger than life presence are his siblings Jerry (and Sandy) Bolt, Tom Bolt, Jack (and Lynn) Bolt, Carl (and Margie) Bolt; brothers-in-law Andy Doezema and Rick Haan; sisters-in-law Arlene Warners, Sharon Brower, and Judy (Bob) Kruisenga; and many dear nieces and nephews.

Dick lived a rich and meaningful life marked by hard work, service, generosity, and deep faith. He was one of nine siblings whose father worked three jobs to put food on the table. The Martin Bolt family had very little money but never considered themselves poor by any measure. Dick was an outstanding athlete in his teen years, dabbled in running in his 30s and 40s, but enjoyed the game of golf for a lifetime. An avid exerciser, he swam and worked out daily at the YMCA. As co-founder and owner of Heyboer and Bolt commercial construction company for 40 plus years, he was known for fairness, toughness, integrity, hard work - and speed! In retirement, he continued to enjoy construction projects - mostly in the service of his children’s homes, his church home - Kelloggsville CRC, and The First Tee organization. His friends and family were most blessed by Dick’s generosity - often extravagant and never with strings attached. He gave from a place of gratitude and an understanding that God had blessed him to bless others.

Dick’s personality was large. He often kept his family and friends laughing (and sometimes shaking their heads) at his comments, his speed induced mishaps, and his blunt sense of humor. He also kept them on their knees - praying him through a heart attack, two bouts of lymphoma, and a life-changing bike accident.

But nothing gave Dick and Jacque greater joy than their 11 grandchildren Aubrey (Alex) Smith, Erika (Brendan) Oosterheert; Grace, Maria, and George Bolt; Jack, Willem, and Vivian Bolt; and Luke (Payton), Leah, and Drew VanderMeulen; and great-grandson, Owen Smith. They were all Grandpa’s favorite and are tangible evidence of his legacy of faith.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Ida Bolt; brothers Bob and Don Bolt; sisters Barb Doezema and Ruth Haan; sisters- and brothers-in-law Darleen Bolt, Cheryl Bolt, Lloyd Warners, Dale Brower and Steve Roelofs.

In addition to his family and his business, Dick’s other great passions were for Kelloggsville Church and Northern Pines of MN - a Christian conference and family camp the Bolt family attended one week in the summer for 48 years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to one of those organizations:

Kelloggsville Church: 610 52 St. SE Kentwood, MI 49548

Northern Pines: PO Box 750 Lakeville, MN 55044

The family will receive visitors from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, May 4, 2025 at Kelloggsville Church, 610 52nd St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548. A funeral service will be held also at Kelloggsville Church 11 a.m. Monday, May 5, with additional visitation from 10-10:45 a.m. before the service. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresbyron.com in their guestbook online.