Ricky "Rick" Lee Veenstra
May 10, 1960 — July 9, 2019
Ricky “Rick” Lee Veenstra, 59, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died on Sunday, July 7, 2019, as a result of a boating accident while fishing at Palisades State Park. Visitation: 5 – 8 p.m. Monday, July 15, 2019, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Private family burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Rick was born in Cedar Rapids on May 10, 1960, to Robert and Iris Veenstra. He was a graduate of Jefferson High School in 1978, then serving his country as an aircraft maintenance specialist in the USAF from 1979 to 1983. A talented mechanic from an early age, Rick applied his technical abilities to auto, cycle and marine engineering for both work and pleasure. For the last 10 years, he proudly held the position of lead building engineer for Washington High School.
Rick had a magnetic personality and a big heart to help those in need. His fun spirit and contagious laughter were qualities he brought to each encounter. He demonstrated his care through living the idiom, “give the shirt off your back” and ensured if he could help, he would. His joy came from both family and friends as well as the hobbies of fishing, hunting, grilling and an occasional recreational trip to the casino. He will be missed by many.
Rick is survived by his mother, Iris Veenstra of Cedar Rapids; sister, Patricia Veenstra of Cedar Rapids; brother, Kenneth Veenstra of Cleveland, Texas; daughters, Jessie (Sean) Coburn of Amana and Katie (Jesse) Kopecky of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren and special nephews Kurt (Kim) Veenstra of Eugene, Oregon and Kolby (Jana) Veenstra of Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert.
Memorial donations may be directed to the family.
Rick was born in Cedar Rapids on May 10, 1960, to Robert and Iris Veenstra. He was a graduate of Jefferson High School in 1978, then serving his country as an aircraft maintenance specialist in the USAF from 1979 to 1983. A talented mechanic from an early age, Rick applied his technical abilities to auto, cycle and marine engineering for both work and pleasure. For the last 10 years, he proudly held the position of lead building engineer for Washington High School.
Rick had a magnetic personality and a big heart to help those in need. His fun spirit and contagious laughter were qualities he brought to each encounter. He demonstrated his care through living the idiom, “give the shirt off your back” and ensured if he could help, he would. His joy came from both family and friends as well as the hobbies of fishing, hunting, grilling and an occasional recreational trip to the casino. He will be missed by many.
Rick is survived by his mother, Iris Veenstra of Cedar Rapids; sister, Patricia Veenstra of Cedar Rapids; brother, Kenneth Veenstra of Cleveland, Texas; daughters, Jessie (Sean) Coburn of Amana and Katie (Jesse) Kopecky of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren and special nephews Kurt (Kim) Veenstra of Eugene, Oregon and Kolby (Jana) Veenstra of Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert.
Memorial donations may be directed to the family.
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