Person:Charles Hiemstra (2)

Charles Hiemstra, 87, of Lubbock, TX passed away Friday, July 6, 2012. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, July 21, 2012, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Lubbock, with the Rev., Dr. Baron Eliason officiating. Arrangements were entrusted to Agape Funeral Chapel, Lubbock.

Charles was born Wednesday, April 8, 1925, to Abel and Jenneke (Dykstra) Hiemstra, in Paterson, New Jersey. He attended the 4th Street Grammar School and Graduated from Eastern Academy in 1941. Charles enlisted in the United States Navy, serving aboard the USS Claxton as Quarter Master. His ship was a component of the celebrated Destroyer Squadron 23; seeing action in Solomon Islands, particularly at the battles of Cape Vincent, Saint George, and Leyte Gulf, which the Squadron received a Presidential Unit Citation. Charles received the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, 4 stars; Philippine Liberation Ribbon, 2 stars; Presidential Unit Citation, 1 star; and the Victory Medal.

After serving his country in WWII and graduating from college with a Master's degree in Mathematics, Chuck married Wilhelmina Kalsbeek (of Castlewood, SD) on Saturday, June 21, 1952. In 1963, Chuck and Willi settled down in Chowchilla. CA. There, Chuck taught Mathematics at Chowchilla Union High School for a generation; after nearly 40-years in Chowchilla, for reasons of health and family, Chuck and Willi moved to Lubbock, TX, in 2002.

Chuck was preceded in death by a son Craig (2000); a granddaughter, Jenneke Anneliese (1962); and a son-in-law Bruce Lewis (2011). He is survived by his wife of 60-years, Willi, of Lubbock; one son, Scott Hiemstra of Lubbock; two daughters; Shirley Lewis of Prescott, AZ, Anne Lemon and husband Clint of Lubbock; three grandsons, two granddaughters, and three great grandsons.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the Hiemstra family requests that memorial contributions, in Chuck's honor, be directed to Hospice of Lubbock, PO Box 16800, Lubbock, TX 79490.