Arie Roest's Obituary
Arie Roest was born in Zoeterwoude, Netherlands on November 10,1937, as the oldest of 6 sons born to Cornelius and Gertrude Roest. As a boy, he spent many happy times with his brothers at his Opa & Oma’s farm in Leiderdorp & enjoyed taking special trips in his Opa’s car to Leewarden to purchase cows. He attended Elementary & Agriculture schools in Leiden & worked on the family dairy farm until 1956, when he immigrated to the U.S. with his family, at the age of 18, to begin a dairy in Santee, California. In 1961, Arie was called to serve in the U.S. Army and was sent to Berlin, Germany for 2 years. Upon returning home, which was now a dairy in Valley Center, Arie met a lovely new Christian school teacher on a hayride organized by the Young People’s group at church. After dating for a couple of years (and often helping the teacher grade papers), Arie married Thelma on August 13, 1965, at the Escondido CRC. (Many giggles were heard in the audience when Thelma’s young students witnessed the groom kissing their teacher.) Arie always had mechanical interests and decided to leave the family business and pursue classes at Long Beach City College to become an electrician, so a move was made to Artesia, CA. During their 2 years there, Arie & Thema were blessed to welcome daughter Sheri in 1966. They then moved back south where Arie finished classes at Palomar College, and it was here in Escondido that they completed their family with Cindy in 1970 & Arlan in 1973. Arie worked at several electrical and pump companies before working in maintenance at Superior Ready Mix, until his retirement in 2004. Throughout his life, Arie enjoyed various home improvement projects and gardening at their home of 40 years on Bernardo Ave. He also liked to photograph the beauty of God’s creation in nature and spent hours doing this on the family camping adventures to US state parks and on trips to Oregon & Washington to visit family. Though he wasn’t much for world travel, the highlights were trips to Holland and to Costa Rica for mission work. Arie had a great fondness for classical organ music (Bach), his grandchildren & great grandchildren, & was happiest relaxing in his chair with a Christian periodical in his hands and a kitty on his lap. Aside from his dear wife of nearly 60 years, Arie also loved the church & was involved as an elder, deacon, choir member, in Project Phillip, Christian Fellowship, & Youth of Yesterday. He supported Christian Education as well and served on the school board at Calvin Christian School. In October of 2020, he & Thelma made the move to a lovely cottage at Meadowbrook Village, where they loved to have coffeetime with old and new friends and often welcomed new church members. Due to failing health over the last 6 months, Arie was unable to attend worship & activities at the EURC that he loved, but was content at home with Thelma’s care & blessed with frequent visits from family & friends. He was welcomed into the arms of his Redeemer on January 21, 2025, and has left a legacy of faith to the 4 generations that follow him.
Family suggests memorial donations be made to:
Westminster Seminary California
1725 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92027
or
Calvin Christian School
2000 N Broadway, Escondido CA 92026
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