Robert D. "Bob" Wesselink's Obituary
Robert D. “Bob” Wesselink, 85, of Decatur, passed away Sunday, September 17, 2017 at Hickory Point Christian Village in Forsyth.
Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Wednesday, September 20, 2017 Moran & Goebel Funeral Home, 2801 N. Monroe St. Decatur, IL; vigil prayer service will be at 4:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Bob’s life will be 2:00 PM Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 3850 Lourdes Dr. Decatur, with Rev. Richard Weltin, celebrant. Burial will be in Boiling Springs Cemetery.
Bob was born in Ocheydan, Iowa and raised in Sibley, Iowa the son of Gerrit F. Wesselink and Fannie Henrietta (Ver Steeg). He married his wife of 63 years, Della A. Wesselink, on December 29, 1954 in St Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton, Iowa.
Bob is survived by his wife Della and their four sons. Bryan of Spring, Texas, Larry (Rhonda) of Houston, Texas, Garry (Nannette) of Denver, Colorado, and Mark (Kristina) of Gaithersburg, Maryland. Also surviving are eight grandchildren. Sarah Mackey of Weatherford, Texas and Nolan Wesselink of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Japan; Corey Wesselink of Plainfield, IL and Danielle Wesselink of Houston, Texas; Kyle and Kevin Wesselink of Denver, Colorado; Mackenzie and Kasey Wesselink of Gaithersburg, Maryland; and one great granddaughter, Caroline Mackey of Weatherford, Texas.
Bob is also survived by one sister, Beverly Picha of Minneapolis, Minnesota as well as many nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.
He was a Charter Member of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Decatur, Illinois during which he was active in the Catholic community of faith. He served as a Eucharistic Minister. He was a Charter Member of the Catholic Charites Corporate Board of Directors (2001 – 2005) and was recognized with their Distinguished Service Award. He also served as Co-Chair of the Building Committee that designed and constructed the current Our Lady of Lourdes parish building complex.
Bob earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University in 1954. He and Della moved to Decatur, Illinois in 1958 where he worked for Homer L. Chastain & Associates. In 1965 he founded Blank Wesselink & Associates. The engineering firm was responsible for multiple major infrastructure projects in central Illinois under Bob’s leadership. He was a Registered Land Surveyor and Registered Professional Engineer in Illinois and many surrounding states. He served four years as President of the Central Illinois Chapter of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers and was recognized by them with the prestigious Professional Engineering Management Award in 1990.
He was active in the American Consulting Engineers Council earning Distinguished Service Awards in 1982 & 1995, named a Fellow in 1988 and elevated to Life Fellow in 1998. He was also a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Bob volunteered in various groups in the community, especially at Decatur Memorial Hospital. He was engaged in other activities including Boy Scouts of America and all four of his sons and two grandsons are Eagle Scouts. Over the years, he enjoyed playing in several bridge clubs, golfing, dancing and traveling. His greatest joy was being a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
The family would also like to recognize the loving care and support provided by everyone at Hickory Point Christian Village. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
The family of Bob Wesselink is being served by Moran & Goebel Funeral Home, 2801 N. Monroe St. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.moranandgoebel.com.
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