Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Kenneth Van Haitsma

Kenneth Van Haitsma, 76, passed away Saturday, February 16, 2008, at home in Fallbrook, CA. He was born September 30, 1931, in Zeeland, MI.

Mr. Van Haitsma earned a MA at Western Michigan.

Moving to California in 1961, he taught elementary school in the Fallbrook school district before moving out of the area. He and his wife returned to Fallbrook in 1987.

In his “retirement,” Mr. Van Haitsma commissioned from local artist Tom Mitchell numerous painted wood sculptures, which he placed in school libraries throughout the area for children to enjoy.

Teachers often used these sculptures as learning opportunities, since they depicted animals like a skunk, toucan, dolphin, leopard and buffalo, as well as reproductions of a six-foot-tall Inuit totem pole, thunderbird and other Native American pieces. Many of these sculptures are still on display.

Mr. Van Haitsma was an avid traveler/explorer and gem/mineral collector who belonged to the Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society. He donated a vintage coal car to their museum.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Norma Jean (Huyser); daughters Mary Lynn Van Haitsma (Roeger), Carlsbad, and Sally Jean van Haitsma (Sutro), Encinitas; brothers Howard Van Haitsma, Pentwater, MI, and Ronald Van Haitsma, Byron Center, MI; and sister Kathy Kronemeyer, Holland, MI.

A private memorial will be held on Sunday, March 2.

 

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