Rev. Richard Diedert Sytsma

Rev. Richard Diedert Sytsma went to be with his Savior on January 14, 2018. Born on June 20, 1920 in Hawthorne, New Jersey, he was 97 years old. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, his daughter Kathy, and all his 5 siblings.

He is lovingly remembered by his 5 children, 20 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren:

Son, Rev. Richard E. and Sandra Sytsma of Grand Rapids, MI and their children: Rev. Andrew and Jacie Sytsma (children Natalie and Caleb), Tena Sytsma, and Dr. David and Hiroko Sytsma (daughters Anna and Sarah);

Daughter, Carolyn and Dr. Dale Poel of Halifax, Nova Scotia and their daughters: Cynthia and Rev. John Ferguson (son Zachary), and Sandra and Keith Messenger (daughters Sarah and Claire);

Son, Philip and Ginger Sytsma of Phoenix, AZ and their daughters: Miriam Sytsma and Dr. Lauren and Aaron Johnson (daughter Juniper);

Son, Dr. Kenneth and Jackie Sytsma of Madison, WI, and their children: Jacoba and Robert Alderink (children Jannika and Silas), Jesse and Sara Hembel Sytsma (daughter Elena), Kendra and Peter Hausmann (children Greta, Julius, Anja), Jane Sytsma, Kayla Sytsma (daughter Lennea), and Kendall, Jack, Jillian, and Keera Sytsma;

Son, James and Joy Sytsma of St. Johns, MI, and their children: Nicole and Dr. Daniel Dault (children Maya and James), Lee and Meg Sytsma (children Evie, Henry, Will), Rev. Anthony and Sara Sytsma, and Katherine and Zachary Westenbroek (son Maxwell).

He was raised from a young age in Denver, CO. While serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II, he felt the call to enter the ministry. During a visit to Yokohama at the end of the war, a seed was planted in his heart that resulted in his returning to Japan as a missionary 7 years later. He graduated from Calvin College and Seminary, was ordained as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church in 1952, and served for 31 years with his wife Dorothy as missionaries in Japan. In cooperation with the Reformed Church in Japan he planted 6 churches and was involved in the founding and development of several more. After retirement in 1984 he served as an interim pastor in a number of churches in the United States.

He and Dorothy were loved by the Japanese people. He was known for his love of the Lord, his zeal for spreading the gospel, his optimism, sense of humor and infectious love of life, as well as his love of travel and the outdoors.

Rev. Richard Diedert Sytsma went to be with his Savior on January 14, 2018. Born on June 20, 1920 in Hawthorne, New Jersey, he was 97 years old. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, his daughter Kathy, and all his 5 siblings.

He is lovingly remembered by his 5 children, 20 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren:

Son, Rev. Richard E. and Sandra Sytsma of Grand Rapids, MI and their children: Rev. Andrew and Jacie Sytsma (children Natalie and Caleb), Tena Sytsma, and Dr. David and Hiroko Sytsma (daughters Anna and Sarah);

Daughter, Carolyn and Dr. Dale Poel of Halifax, Nova Scotia and their daughters: Cynthia and Rev. John Ferguson (son Zachary), and Sandra and Keith Messenger (daughters Sarah and Claire);

Son, Philip and Ginger Sytsma of Phoenix, AZ and their daughters: Miriam Sytsma and Dr. Lauren and Aaron Johnson (daughter Juniper);

Son, Dr. Kenneth and Jackie Sytsma of Madison, WI, and their children: Jacoba and Robert Alderink (children Jannika and Silas), Jesse and Sara Hembel Sytsma (daughter Elena), Kendra and Peter Hausmann (children Greta, Julius, Anja), Jane Sytsma, Kayla Sytsma (daughter Lennea), and Kendall, Jack, Jillian, and Keera Sytsma;

Son, James and Joy Sytsma of St. Johns, MI, and their children: Nicole and Dr. Daniel Dault (children Maya and James), Lee and Meg Sytsma (children Evie, Henry, Will), Rev. Anthony and Sara Sytsma, and Katherine and Zachary Westenbroek (son Maxwell).

He was raised from a young age in Denver, CO. While serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II, he felt the call to enter the ministry. During a visit to Yokohama at the end of the war, a seed was planted in his heart that resulted in his returning to Japan as a missionary 7 years later. He graduated from Calvin College and Seminary, was ordained as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church in 1952, and served for 31 years with his wife Dorothy as missionaries in Japan. In cooperation with the Reformed Church in Japan he planted 6 churches and was involved in the founding and development of several more. After retirement in 1984 he served as an interim pastor in a number of churches in the United States.

He and Dorothy were loved by the Japanese people. He was known for his love of the Lord, his zeal for spreading the gospel, his optimism, sense of humor and infectious love of life, as well as his love of travel and the outdoors.

His funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Calvin Christian Reformed Church, 1530 Franklin St. SE, Grand Rapids, with his grandson Rev. Andrew Sytsma, pastor of New Life CRC in Spring, Texas, officiating and his grandson Lee Sytsma giving the message.

Visitation will be held at Calvin Christian Reformed Church before the funeral service at 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 20.

Memorial contributions may be made to Calvin Christian Reformed Church Missions.

Please visit lakeshorememorial.com to leave a message or memory for the family.