Arthur Age Abma, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, left us to be with his Maker at the age of 92 from natural causes.
Art was born in Tiel, the Netherlands on September 11, 1925. He spent most of his youth in the city of Velp, where he and his brother were avid Boy Scouts. He helped the resistance during WWII and observed first-hand the US-British airdrop “Operation Market Garden” in nearby Arnhem.
Art immigrated to the US in 1950 to pursue the “American dream.” Earlier, Dutch friends of Art had settled in Oregon. They met Dr. Verne Jackson, an osteopath in Forest Grove who was willing to sponsor him in becoming an American citizen. Art was drafted and participated in the Korean conflict. After recuperating from wartime injuries, Art enrolled at Pacific University on the GI Bill. He was also a “sleeper” (volunteer fireman). The Forest Grove Fire Dept became his second home.
In 1955 Pacific University offered their history students a summer study program in the Netherlands. Art took advantage of that offer to visit his parents and former girlfriend, Elsa. He and Elsa rekindled their love and married that summer in Holland. The newlyweds returned to Forest Grove. They soon became members of the United Church of Christ. The couple then stayed busy by raising three daughters.
In 1977, during a visit to Holland, Art and Elsa invited their teenage nephew, Menno Swart, to the US. Menno became a member of the family, graduated at Forest Grove High School, and headed to college to pursue his dreams.
Art worked at Tektronix and proudly volunteered for the fire dept for over 35 years. After his retirement from Tek, he stayed busy helping neighborhood seniors, volunteering at the Valley Art Association, and becoming a member of the Masonic Lodge of Oregon. His passion was going on fishing trips to the Metolius River. Art spent hours in his garden and loved to play pool with his friends. Art and Elsa returned to Holland for vacations and nostalgic visits with relatives. They also visited their daughters in various states and countries.
Art is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elsa, his daughters Anneke (son Thomas), Monique Kilroy (Pat, and children: John, Allie, and Madeline), Michelle Carrier (John and children: Michael and Tyler) and his nephew Menno Swart (Lisa and children: Marcella, Tim, and Mitchell). We will miss him terribly, but know his spirit will be with us always.
Many thanks to the “Care Partners Hospice” and the staff at Jennings McCall Memory Care for the wonderful, loving care provided; he considered many of you as family members. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Forest Grove Fire Association, Attn: Jeff Bade-Treasurer, 1919 Ash Street, Forest Grove OR 97116 , or Friends of the Metolius.
Art was born in Tiel, the Netherlands on September 11, 1925. He spent most of his youth in the city of Velp, where he and his brother were avid Boy Scouts. He helped the resistance during WWII and observed first-hand the US-British airdrop “Operation Market Garden” in nearby Arnhem.
Art immigrated to the US in 1950 to pursue the “American dream.” Earlier, Dutch friends of Art had settled in Oregon. They met Dr. Verne Jackson, an osteopath in Forest Grove who was willing to sponsor him in becoming an American citizen. Art was drafted and participated in the Korean conflict. After recuperating from wartime injuries, Art enrolled at Pacific University on the GI Bill. He was also a “sleeper” (volunteer fireman). The Forest Grove Fire Dept became his second home.
In 1955 Pacific University offered their history students a summer study program in the Netherlands. Art took advantage of that offer to visit his parents and former girlfriend, Elsa. He and Elsa rekindled their love and married that summer in Holland. The newlyweds returned to Forest Grove. They soon became members of the United Church of Christ. The couple then stayed busy by raising three daughters.
In 1977, during a visit to Holland, Art and Elsa invited their teenage nephew, Menno Swart, to the US. Menno became a member of the family, graduated at Forest Grove High School, and headed to college to pursue his dreams.
Art worked at Tektronix and proudly volunteered for the fire dept for over 35 years. After his retirement from Tek, he stayed busy helping neighborhood seniors, volunteering at the Valley Art Association, and becoming a member of the Masonic Lodge of Oregon. His passion was going on fishing trips to the Metolius River. Art spent hours in his garden and loved to play pool with his friends. Art and Elsa returned to Holland for vacations and nostalgic visits with relatives. They also visited their daughters in various states and countries.
Art is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elsa, his daughters Anneke (son Thomas), Monique Kilroy (Pat, and children: John, Allie, and Madeline), Michelle Carrier (John and children: Michael and Tyler) and his nephew Menno Swart (Lisa and children: Marcella, Tim, and Mitchell). We will miss him terribly, but know his spirit will be with us always.
Many thanks to the “Care Partners Hospice” and the staff at Jennings McCall Memory Care for the wonderful, loving care provided; he considered many of you as family members. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Forest Grove Fire Association, Attn: Jeff Bade-Treasurer, 1919 Ash Street, Forest Grove OR 97116 , or Friends of the Metolius.
Arthur Age Abma, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, left us to be with his Maker at the age of 92 from natural causes.
Art was born in Tiel, the Netherlands on September 11, 1925. He spent most of his youth in the city of Velp, where he and his brother were avid Boy Scouts. He helped the resistance during WWII and observed first-hand the US-British airdrop “Operation Market Garden” in nearby Arnhem.
Art immigrated to the US in 1950 to pursue the “American dream.” Earlier, Dutch friends of Art had settled in Oregon. They met Dr. Verne Jackson, an osteopath in Forest Grove who was willing to sponsor him in becoming an American citizen. Art was drafted and participated in the Korean conflict. After recuperating from wartime injuries, Art enrolled at Pacific University on the GI Bill. He was also a “sleeper” (volunteer fireman). The Forest Grove Fire Dept became his second home.
In 1955 Pacific University offered their history students a summer study program in the Netherlands. Art took advantage of that offer to visit his parents and former girlfriend, Elsa. He and Elsa rekindled their love and married that summer in Holland. The newlyweds returned to Forest Grove. They soon became members of the United Church of Christ. The couple then stayed busy by raising three daughters.
In 1977, during a visit to Holland, Art and Elsa invited their teenage nephew, Menno Swart, to the US. Menno became a member of the family, graduated at Forest Grove High School, and headed to college to pursue his dreams.
Art worked at Tektronix and proudly volunteered for the fire dept for over 35 years. After his retirement from Tek, he stayed busy helping neighborhood seniors, volunteering at the Valley Art Association, and becoming a member of the Masonic Lodge of Oregon. His passion was going on fishing trips to the Metolius River. Art spent hours in his garden and loved to play pool with his friends. Art and Elsa returned to Holland for vacations and nostalgic visits with relatives. They also visited their daughters in various states and countries.
Art is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elsa, his daughters Anneke (son Thomas), Monique Kilroy (Pat, and children: John, Allie, and Madeline), Michelle Carrier (John and children: Michael and Tyler) and his nephew Menno Swart (Lisa and children: Marcella, Tim, and Mitchell). We will miss him terribly, but know his spirit will be with us always.
Many thanks to the “Care Partners Hospice” and the staff at Jennings McCall Memory Care for the wonderful, loving care provided; he considered many of you as family members. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Forest Grove Fire Association, Attn: Jeff Bade-Treasurer, 1919 Ash Street, Forest Grove OR 97116 , or Friends of the Metolius.
Art was born in Tiel, the Netherlands on September 11, 1925. He spent most of his youth in the city of Velp, where he and his brother were avid Boy Scouts. He helped the resistance during WWII and observed first-hand the US-British airdrop “Operation Market Garden” in nearby Arnhem.
Art immigrated to the US in 1950 to pursue the “American dream.” Earlier, Dutch friends of Art had settled in Oregon. They met Dr. Verne Jackson, an osteopath in Forest Grove who was willing to sponsor him in becoming an American citizen. Art was drafted and participated in the Korean conflict. After recuperating from wartime injuries, Art enrolled at Pacific University on the GI Bill. He was also a “sleeper” (volunteer fireman). The Forest Grove Fire Dept became his second home.
In 1955 Pacific University offered their history students a summer study program in the Netherlands. Art took advantage of that offer to visit his parents and former girlfriend, Elsa. He and Elsa rekindled their love and married that summer in Holland. The newlyweds returned to Forest Grove. They soon became members of the United Church of Christ. The couple then stayed busy by raising three daughters.
In 1977, during a visit to Holland, Art and Elsa invited their teenage nephew, Menno Swart, to the US. Menno became a member of the family, graduated at Forest Grove High School, and headed to college to pursue his dreams.
Art worked at Tektronix and proudly volunteered for the fire dept for over 35 years. After his retirement from Tek, he stayed busy helping neighborhood seniors, volunteering at the Valley Art Association, and becoming a member of the Masonic Lodge of Oregon. His passion was going on fishing trips to the Metolius River. Art spent hours in his garden and loved to play pool with his friends. Art and Elsa returned to Holland for vacations and nostalgic visits with relatives. They also visited their daughters in various states and countries.
Art is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elsa, his daughters Anneke (son Thomas), Monique Kilroy (Pat, and children: John, Allie, and Madeline), Michelle Carrier (John and children: Michael and Tyler) and his nephew Menno Swart (Lisa and children: Marcella, Tim, and Mitchell). We will miss him terribly, but know his spirit will be with us always.
Many thanks to the “Care Partners Hospice” and the staff at Jennings McCall Memory Care for the wonderful, loving care provided; he considered many of you as family members. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Forest Grove Fire Association, Attn: Jeff Bade-Treasurer, 1919 Ash Street, Forest Grove OR 97116 , or Friends of the Metolius.
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