Richard “Rick” Bergsma
Died: March 5, 2024 | Place: London, Ontario
Services
Visitation
Monday, March 11, 2024
2:00-4:00 pm
7:00-9:00 pm
A. Millard George Funeral Home
60 Ridout Street South
London, Ontario
N6C 3X1
Service
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
12:00 pm
Pilgrim Canadian Reformed Church
266 High Street
London, Ontario
N6C 4L4
Private Family Interment
Woodland Cemetery
London, Ontario
Obituary
BERGSMA, Richard “Rick”…
In His perfect timing, the Lord called to Himself his child, Richard Bergsma, on March 5, 2024, at the age of 61. Beloved husband to Marjorie (nee Smouter) for 37 years. Loving father to Wes (Amy) Bergsma, Hannah (Matt) Ormel, Jessica (Greg) Slaa, Joel (Becca) Bergsma, and Olivia (Josh) Sloots. Dear Grandpa to Lilianna, Mason, Everly, Gabrielle, Isla, Elanor, Emerson, Beckett, Reid, Ivy, and two grandchildren yet to be born. Dearly loved son to Annemarie Bergsma, and brother to Karen (Jan) Nobel, Marianne (Ed) Slaa, and Heather (Richard) Aikema. Dear son-in-law to Freda Smouter, and brother-in-law to Eleanor (Peter) Boeringa, Ron Smouter, and Dave (Tonya) Smouter. He is survived by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his father, Dirk Bergsma, and father-in-law, William Smouter.
Born and raised in London, Ontario, Rick graduated from Fanshawe College as a Civil Engineering Technician, and began his career in construction with Bach-McDougall Engineers and Contractors Ltd. In 1994, Rick established his own company, and began focusing on commercial renovations as a general contractor in and around London, under the name Proberg Construction Ltd. Rick loved the outdoors, camping and cottaging with family, and found challenge and satisfaction in building and fixing anything that came his way. With willing hands and heart, he served the Lord, his family and his community, often in practical ways, wherever he saw a need.
His sudden departure from our lives was in God’s appointed time. Although difficult for us to comprehend, we are comforted by knowing that “…all the days ordained for [him] were written in your book” (Psalm 139:16), and find hope in the sure promises of the resurrection.
Family and friends are welcome for visitation on Monday, March 11, 2024 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 12 pm at Pilgrim Canadian Reformed Church, 266 High Street, London. A livestream of the service can be found at https://youtube.com/live/VRzhYDb2QtM?feature=share. Private family interment in Woodland Cemetery, London.
In Rick’s memory, donations may be made to The House of Prayer. Cheques may be made payable to Pilgrim Canadian Reformed Church, and in the memo line specify for “The House of Prayer”, mailed to PO Box 9072 White Oak Postal, London, ON, N6E 3P3. E-transfers can also be sent to cheerfulpilgrim266@gmail.com, and in the note section specify for “The House of Prayer”. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
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Dear friends, My family and I were very shocked and saddened for you to hear of Rick’s sudden passing. The Lord’s ways sometimes are very hard to understand, but of course we do know that in (a lot) of time, we hopefully begin to understand the why of it. If I can ever be of any assistance or encouragement, please don’t hesitate to ask. Praying for you all. With love, Thea
Our sincere condolences to the family–particularly to Marjory and Annemarie. May the Lord strengthen you all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Our loving arms are wrapped around you all in prayer as you deal with this sudden loss! May you be comforted by God’s steadfast love.
Sending love and prayers of comfort and peace to all of you, I am so very sorry for your loss!
Dearest Marj and family,
Sending you and your family our deepest condolences as you absorb the shock of this sudden loss and deal with your ongoing grief.
Our warm thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you and your family.
With much love,
Your cousin Julie, Bill and family
Dear Marj and the Bergsma/Smouter family. Such a hard time for you all and we wish you God’s strength as you mourn Rick’s passing. He will be truly missed by you all even as you recognize what a blessing it is for him to be with His Saviour.
My heart goes out to you Marjorie and my deepest sympathies. May God comfort and strengthen you as you navigate through your loss.
Dear Bergsma family. Our deepest Christian sympathy to you all. May God give you all you need in the coming days. Al and Chris Helder, Alex, Anthony and Leanne.
Condolences to cousin Marjorie and all the family. So sorry for your loss. May happy and loving memories of Rick bring you comfort always.
Our sincere condolences to all the families with the sudden passing of Rick. We know that God will, indeed surround you all, with his love and care. This is our comfort.
Much strength in the time ahead. We will pray for you all!
Dear Marjorie and family
We are deeply sorry and mourn with you in the loss of your beloved husband, father and grandfather
Also such a loss for Annemarie
Our prayers are with you knowing that our Lord will sustain you
We were so sorry to hear about Rick’s passing. He was a good neighbour and we will miss our driveway chats. We are holding all of his loved ones in our thoughts at this difficult time.
So saddened to hear of your sudden loss, Marj and family. What a season of grief for you all. May you be comforted by shared memories and the certainty of a grand reunion one day. We will be holding you up in prayer.
Dearest Marj and family;
Sincere condolences and may the love of Christ fill your grieving hearts!
Wil and Maureen
Our sincerest condolences Marj and family. May God surround you with His love and care in this difficult time. You are in our prayers.
Marjorie and family, so sorry to hear the news of Rick’s sudden passing. He and Marj (and the senior Bergsmas) were very kind to me when I lived in London (2001-2004) to attend university. I pray that our Father in heaven grants each of you comfort and peace during this difficult time.
Dear Marj and family
We want to extend our deepest sympathy with the loss of your beloved husband Rick. A big loss by the extended family. May God comfort you and give you peace in the days and weeks ahead.
Lots of love from uncle Bill and aunt Liz
Very sorry for your loss.
Dear Marjorie, Anne Marie, and Family: May our Lord surround you with His loving arms and fill you with His peace and Joy knowing that Rick is now with His heavenly Father! May He surround you and carry you through this difficult time and the time ahead! We have so many memories of Rick, but what springs to mind most is the times Rick spent on holidays at the Boersema’s with Robert and Nick. We had hoped to come to London, but due to unexpected circumstances, we are sorry that we are now unable to. Lots of love and prayers, Henk and Janice Van Dam
Our condolences to the Bergsma family with Richard’s sudden passing. May you all find comfort in knowing that our God has taken him home into the realm of eternity and His holy presence. While it leaves an empty place here on earth may you find strength in Gods many words of hope and comfort throughout scriptures. You are all in our thoughts and prayers in the coming days
Dear Marjorie,
My sincere condolences to you and your family.
I pray that you will be carried by our loving Saviour and know his nearness in the time ahead.
I worked with Rick while being in building maintenance. He was very knowledgeable and never ceased to assist! Very sad news.
I worked with Rick while in building maintenance. Rick shared his knowledge and never ceased to assist.
Our sincere condolences to Bergsma family with the sudden passing of Rick. We know that God will surround you with his love and care during the days ahead.
Dear Marj/Bergsma and Smouter families.
I am so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing away. My heart goes out to all of you in this very tender time of grief. We pray for your days, weeks and months to come as you grapple with your immense loss in your husband, father and grandfather. I remember our days in Youth and how Rick was always kind and encouraging, and always known for his gentleness. What a beautiful legacy for you all. Ps 16:5-11. The Lord is with you.
Love, Denise Kenn and Luke Hughes (Van Amerongen)
Dear Bergsma family,
Please know that I am praying for your peace and comfort.