Bernard Hofkamp

Bernard Hofkamp, 91, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Nov. 4, 2013. He was surrounded by loving family and friends. He was born Feb. 9, 1922 in Leota, Minn. and he grew up on a farm and received his education at the Leota public school.

On Sept. 18, 1942 Bernie enlisted in the Navy to join the war effort.

While stationed in Tennessee he married his sweetheart from home Hilda Prins. After training he was assigned to the aircraft carrier Natoma Bay. They saw extensive action in the South Pacific, where the Pacific Fleet was greatly outnumbered by the Japanese. But they still prevailed in a mighty way.

Some have said the odds were so great that only divine intervention saw them through. The Natoma Bay took a direct hit when a kamikaze flew through the flight deck and exploded. But within hours, repairs were made and they began sending planes back into action. Bernie’s job was to control the steam pressure on the catapult that sent the fighter bombers back into the air.

After the war he returned home to his first and only love Hilda, and they began farming together in the Leota area. In December of 1959 they decided to take a leap of faith.

They sold nearly everything they owned at a farm sale and loaded all their possessions and their four children into a new 1960 Chevy and headed west to Oak Harbor. He worked at numerous trades all putting his mechanical skills to work.

He was a carpenter, a postal worker, a boat builder, a working owner of the Anacortes Plywood Mill and the Reformed Church custodian and groundskeeper for many years.

After retirement he worked in a saw sharpening shop and on any yard equipment that came his way. If a mower didn’t run it didn’t take him long to make it purr.

He had a deep quiet Christian faith and was a member of the First Reformed Church since January of 1960.

Bernie is survived by his four children: Virgil (Suzie) Hofkamp, of Anacortes, ; Lloyd (Jean) Hofkamp, of Marysville; Verna (Gary) Tallmadge, of Portland, Ore. and Ron (Sue) Hofkamp, of Oak Harbor; 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Bernie is preceded in death by his wife of 66 years Hilda, two brothers Gary Hofkamp and Gilbert Hofkamp, two sisters Harriett VanDyke and Eleanor Van Ecke, and one grandson Jeff Tallmadge.

A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at the First Reformed Church in Oak Harbor. with Pastor Matt Waite officiating.

A reception will follow. Interment with full military honors will be held 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18 at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the First Reformed Church Christmas Wish Fund. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences in the Book of Memories hosted by Wallin Funeral Home at www.wallinfuneralhome.com