1948 – 2023
Robert ‘Rob’ Peter John Van der Velden passed away on Thursday, August 24, 2023, in the presence of his loving wife, at the age of 74 years.
Born in Eindhoven, Netherlands on August 29, 1948, Rob’s family emigrated to Canada in 1953, first settling in Drumheller, and then Calgary, Alberta, where he met his wife, Rosalie. The couple were married in 1974 and had two children, Jonathan in 1981, and Laura in 1983. Rob was cherished by his family as a kind and faithful husband and father and grandpa, a hard worker who could build just about anything, and a man whose hope and trust was placed firmly in Christ’s “Amazing Grace”.
Rob is lovingly remembered by his faithful wife of forty-nine years, Rosalie Isabella Van der Velden (nee Schmidtke), his son, Jonathan (Jennifer) and their children, Kaitlyn, Teagan, Sawyer, and Spencer Van der Velden, as well as his daughter, Laura (Cole Jordan) and their son, Leo Robert Jordan. Rob is also lovingly remembered by his younger brother, Edward Van der Velden, sister-in-law, Sharron Van der Velden, and sister, Joyce Van der Velden, along with nieces, nephews, and extended family members and Rosalie’s siblings and their families.
He was predeceased by his mother, Levina Van der Velden (nee Huijerman), and his father, John Van der Velden.
A Celebration of Rob's Life will be held at the Innisfail Church of the Nazarene, 4904 - 48 Street, Innisfail, Alberta on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
If desired, Memorial Donations may be made to the Central Alberta Cancer Centre at 3942 50a Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta T4N 6R2 or at www.albertacancer.ca, Donations may also be made to the Red Deer Hospice Society at 99 Arnot Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta, T4R 3S6 or at www.reddeerhospice.com.
The family would like to give their sincere gratitude to these communities for the care they provided to Rob in these last years and days. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006
