
Bernard C Langerhorst
Join us in celebrating Bernard C—please share your stories and photos, and help spread the word about this page!
BERNARD LANGERHORST OBITUARY
Langerhorst, Sr., Bernard Christian 12/20/1936 - 07/03/2016 Age 79, of Caledonia, MI, and Mustang Island, Port Aransas, Texas. Left his beloved Patricia, his wife of 60 years (married 06/01/1956) took God's hand, who welcomed him into his heavenly home on Sunday July 3, 2016 due to complications of Parkinson's and diabetes. Also there to welcome him home were his parents Christian and Jacoba Vriezema-Langerhorst, step-mother Lydia Rogers-Langerhorst, and in-laws Alfred and Erma Sanders-Brott. Bernie will be sadly missed by daughters Vicki and Alan Gort, Cindy and David Pell, and a very special son, Bernie Jr., grandchildren and great-grandchildren David (Jolene) Pell, Cecilia, Vivian and Josie, Ben (Jen) Pell and Benji Jr., Jeni (Lee) Bolt, Emma, Anna and Micha, Teri (Chris) Williams and Jonathan, Angie (Zach) Booker, Carter, Crew and Arlette, Andrew (Elyse) Pell, Noah and Elena, brother Dale (Nancy) Langerhorst, sister-in-law Cheryl Ricketson, brother-in-law Jack (Lois) Brott, step-sister Bobbie (Tom) Carpenter, several nieces, nephews and cousins that Bernie mentored along the way. Bernie's accomplishments and goals were many: He worked at Liberty Dairy to pay his tuition so he could attend Christian High School and Calvin College. He continued working there when daughter Vicki was born. He started working at Keeler Brass as a Time Keeper at night while attending Calvin, and this is when Cindy arrived. Soon after her arrival, he started his teaching career with Wyoming Public Schools, at Newhall Junior High School in Wyoming -- seventh grade math and science. Bernie was a constable for the city of Wyoming in the sixties; he enjoyed being a positive influence in the lives of others. He went to Western Michigan University for his Master's Degree at night and on Saturdays. This is when he purchased his "61 Studebaker Hawk," because it was more economical to drive. This car became an icon of his--he had it restored and joined the Studebaker Car Club. He drove it in many events and tours as well as "Cruise 28." He really loved his car and showing it off to anyone that stopped and showed interest. He traveled out West with the family to Colorado, where he attended a geology course offered by the University of Oklahoma. Their son "Little Bernie" was born in 1964. Bernie graduated with his Master's Degree, and again the family traveled West. They spent two summers in Washington State where he went to the University of Washington and attended the oceanography program studying the marine life out on Puget Sound. He continued on toward getting his Ph.D. Bernie loved the learning process it was at this point that he realized his girls were really missing him and wanted more time with their dad. So he sacrificed achieving his Ph.D for more time with his family. After all, his love for the seventh graders was where his love for teaching was. He volunteered as an arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau. He would sit on a panel that would hear a case and then render a decision that was binding. He did this for many years as a service to the public. In the summer when school was out, he worked for the Kent County Sheriff's Department for 11 years as a Marine Patrol Officer. He also worked for Allegan County on the Marine Patrol for nine years. It was at this time that he studied for his Captain's License and became Captain Bernie -- taking a job on a big paddle wheel boat in Saugatuck, as a tour guide -- again teaching and sharing his vast knowledge and humor as Captain of the ship. After 31 years with Wyoming Public Schools, in various roles as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal and also working in the evenings as the Administrator of the Continuing Educational Program, Bernie retired from the job he loved, teaching seventh grade, in 1989. He then decided to take his life in a different direction. He took classes to attain the proper licenses to begin being a Financial Planner. He worked for the Michigan Education Association (MEA) helping the teachers that were his colleagues as well as hundreds of others prepare for their retirement. Bernie was known for being generous. If you needed something and he had one, you could borrow it. Whether it was a tool, his truck or the utility trailer, if you needed money he would find you a job, then he would help you learn how to manage that money this was how he was. He taught more people how to budget and save money than you could imagine! He and mom loved to travel and visited all 50 of the states, as well as several countries. Catching Hawaii as the last of the 50 was a trip they had planned for many years. Having a handicapped child had its restrictions. It didn't allow them the freedom to just go places; they always needed a Bernie sitter and this was sometimes difficult to find. Bernie was a blessing to them even with all that it required for his care. They cared for Bernie in their home for 39 years. When they just couldn't do it anymore due to their age and Bernie's increasing care, they found a group home in nearby Byron Center so they could take him on outings and visit often. You never heard a negative word about God's wisdom in giving Bernie to them. It was a blessing even though it was hard. Little Bernie has known the love of a family; and we have had special blessings because mom and dad cared for him and showed us an amazing example of selflessness. With mom at the helm, these aspirations and accomplishments were possible for dad. He fell in love with and married a woman that knew what love and commitment meant, and she gave a lot. He always provided for her and us and worked very hard to do so! My parents really loved each other and showed my sister and me a wonderful example of loving and giving. They showed us the way to Jesus; raising us in a Christian home and giving us a strong foundation to build our lives on. Dad even helped start a church back in the fifties, Newhall Baptist Church, where he served the Lord as a deacon and a Sunday School Teacher for young boys. He had so much knowledge to share with others, always giving a kind word, a smile and offering to help however he could. He always encouraged his grandkids to go to college, telling them that they could do anything and reach for their dreams. He was always so proud of his kids and grandkids! He was a highly respected Christian man as a husband, father, and grandfather to some amazing adults that feel extremely blessed to be his grandchildren -- as well as 13, soon to be 14, beautiful great-grandchildren that adored him as Grandpa Horsey! The family would like to thank the amazing nurses and staff at Spectrum-Blodgett and Faith Hospice-Trillium Woods for the loving care and kindness shown to our family and our dad. We can't imagine going through this without you. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service is planned for Friday, August 05, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Ada Bible Church, 8899 Cascade Road SE Ada, Michigan 49301. The family welcomes memories and messages in their online guest book at www.cookcares.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the following: National Parkinson Foundation for research (http://www3.parkinson.org/site/TR/Tributes/General, American Diabetes Association, or Faith Hospice-Trillium Woods.