Richard Verhey

Richard Verhey was a loving and caring man, who throughout his life strove to be the best father, husband and friend possible. With a strong devotion to the principles of hard work and supported by the strength of his faith, Richard realized that true joy in life comes not from material possessions but from the lifelong friends and loving family that surround you.

Life was very different in 1910. The life expectance for a man was 48 years, and for a woman, 51 years. The average salary was $750 a year and the cost of a 12-day cruise? Just $60. But luxury items like cruises were far from the minds of Peter and Cornelia (Krombeen) Verhey. Both Peter and Cornelia had emigrated from the Netherlands and, living in Grand Rapids, were anxiously awaiting the birth of their second child. On June 3, 1910, their only son, Richard, was born. Richard had an older sister named Dorothy and was later joined by younger sister, Adrianna. Peter had established the Grand Rapids Builders Supply Company on Leonard St. NW, where he sold bricks and other building materials, as well as coal, to support his family. However, Peter and Cornelia were divorced after just six years of marriage, leaving Cornelia to care for their three children.

Richard’s life brightened when his mother married Tys Meringa in 1917, and the family moved to a new home on Courtney St. in 1918. Although Tys never adopted Richard and his siblings, he was a father in every sense of the word. He was always interested in what they were doing, and wanted only what was best for his new family – both spiritually and physically.

Richard had many fond memories of his childhood. In those days, milk was delivered every day. The milkman brought it to your door in bulk and poured the amount you wanted into your container. The iceman delivered – there were no electric refrigerators – and so did the grocer. He often told of shooting off carbide from a can on the 4th of July, and he and his friends making their own kites and scooters, and much like boys today, playing soccer in the schoolyard. On Saturdays he would go to his uncle’s farm and pick celery, radishes and carrots to sell at the Farmer’s Market. In the winter, the boys would bobsled down Crosby Street, which had been closed off and iced down for a bobsled track. He even had many adventures hitchhiking all around West Michigan with his friends. With a knack for music, Rich took both piano and pipe organ lessons and played the organ at church for both the Dutch and English services. Since he did not understand a word of the Dutch language, he had to be “cued” as to when to play.

Rich attended West Side Christian School until 1925. From there he went to Grand Rapids Christian High School, graduating in 1928. He had obtained his driver’s license at the age of 14 and often drove his father’s Maxwell sedan. While in high school he worked at Borgman’s Grocery Store after school and on Saturdays, and then went to work for a printing company. After graduating from high school, Rich was offered the job of manager at the Borgman Grocery Store on Wealthy and Diamond. In 1932 he and his father bought their own grocery store in Grand Haven, but these were Depression days and the business failed. In 1934 the family moved back to Grand Rapids from Grand Haven. Richard’s mother became ill with cancer and died in 1938 at the age of 53. Tys went on to marry Nellie Bouma and they enjoyed 16 years together.

While attending the West Leonard Christian Reformed Church, Richard met a lovely young lady named Catherine Kass. As was the custom, they courted for a number of years and were married on May 22, 1934. The ceremony took place in the home of Catherine’s parents on the corner of Tamarack and Courtney. For a while the newly weds lived in Grand Haven and then returned to Grand Rapids where they lived for a short while with Catherine’s parents. They later rented an upstairs apartment on Crosby before settling into a two-family home on Eleventh, next door to Catherine’s parents. Their last move took them to the family home on 1139 Powers NW, where they raised their four sons, Ron, Roger, Carl and Allen. The Verhey’s home was always the center of family activity, and as the boys started families of their own, it was the grandchildren who filled the house with laughter.

With a growing family to support, Richard set out to find work. He was interested in working at J.A. Bestemans, a wholesale distributor of fruits and vegetables. With his experience in the grocery business, this seemed the ideal place. Richard just showed up one day and started working. After three days, Mr. Besteman walked up to him and said, “Rich, I did not hire you.” Rich explained that he was desperate for a job and had taken the risk of hopefully being hired. Mr. Besteman was impressed with this young man’s determination – and hired him that day. His workday started at 2:30 a.m. and lasted until 11:00 a.m. He delivered to stores in the city and also worked calling on people as a salesman. With the advent of World War II, the transportation of perishables became more difficult. Most of the rail cars had been commandeered for the war effort. Refrigerated trucks were now being used and Rich assumed more of the management duties in the warehouse. He was deferred from the draft and eventually worked his way up to an officer in the company. Changing gears in 1967, he purchased a hearse and limousine livery service, which he operated until 1975 when he sold the business to his son Ron.

When Rich finally retired, he and Catherine had time to enjoy traveling. They visited places like Hawaii, Mexico, and Europe. In 1979 they purchased a trailer in Pompano Beach, Florida and enjoyed many winters there until 1989. They then sold their home and moved to Sunset Village in Jenison where Rich and Catherine enjoyed their life together until Catherine’s death on May 17, 1999.

“The Lord was good to Mother and I. We had a beautiful marriage, have a wonderful family and many good friends. Mother and I talked about the love and joy and concern we always had for the entire family. We were so abundantly blessed. Our prayers were…that each member of the family will have a strong faith and truly come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord and serve Him their entire life”. - Written by Richard Verhey

Mr. Richard Verhey, age 94, passed away Wednesday, February 23, 2005. He was preceded in death by his wife Catherine in 1999, his son Dr. Carl in 1995 and his sisters Dorothy DeFouw and Donna Kelder. Surviving are his children Ron and Kathy Verhey of Grand Rapids, Dr. Roger and Norma Verhey of Ann Arbor, Dr. Allen and Phyllis Verhey of Durham, N. Carolina, Kathy Verhey of Escondido, California; 14 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, his sister Jan (Larry) Bennett of Jesup, Georgia and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11AM at West Leonard Christian Reformed Church, corner of Leonard and Powers N.W. with Rev. Neil Jasperse officiating. Interment in Washington Park Memorial Gardens. Friends may meet the family on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9PM at Heritage Lifestory Funeral Home- Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel. 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. N.W. and for one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. Please visit Rich’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or make a contribution. Memorial contributions may be made to West Side Christian School, 955 Westend N.W. 49504 or Hospice of Holland Home, 3964 Whispering Way S.E 49508.