Dirk Tenwalde

TENWALDE, Dirk A. Age 63 Allegan Went to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, July 4th, 2021 in Kalamazoo following a short battle with cancer. Dirk was born September 11, 1957 in Grand Rapids, son of the late Ronald and Constance Tenwalde and lived in the area his entire life. Dirk was a memorable character and legend in the Allegan area and made an impression on everyone he met. At age 17 Dirk made the newspaper after taking one of the largest bucks in recent years, a massive 14 point. Dirk was in the Tough Man contest in the late 1980s where he took 3rd place. He played in several softball leagues over the years, both co ed and men's divisions and was excellent covering 3rd base. Dirk coached Little League for several years both in Bloomingdale and Allegan. Dirk was a Firefighter and First Responder with the Allegan Fire Department. In 1992 he was honored as Firefighter of the Year from an ice rescue call on Miner Lake. When accepting the high honor Dirk said that he accepted the award on behalf of all Allegan Firefighters as the rescue was a team effort. Dirk worked for a short time for the Railroad in Grand Rapids. He worked for the Perrigo Company and also the Allegan DPW. Dirk realized he enjoyed working outside so he went on to work for HamCon Construction / Hamilton Block and Ready Mix where he retired from in 2010. At HamCon he served as a Foreman, drove a boom truck and a ready mix truck. He was a hard and physical worker. Dirk was a fisherman, deer hunter and loved camping. After it became difficult for him to get around he loved to cruise the back roads where he would look for deer, sandhill cranes and ride on the golf cart. Surviving is his wife Robin of nearly 25 years, Children, Crystal (Robert) Smith, Jason (Lynn) Tenwalde, Justin Tenwalde, Rachel (Brian) Ortega, Kari (Neil Gavan) Pinnell, Alan II (Jenna) Pinnell, Matthew (Aricka) Pinnell; 24 grandchildren including a special grandson, Drake; many adopted kids and grandkids along the way; siblings, Rhonda Tenwalde, Sandra (Larry) Stamper, David (Carol) Tenwalde, Scott II (Laura) Tenwalde; mother and father in law, Ed (Lynda) Crandall; sisters in law, Dawn (Dave) Taylor, Teresa (Mike) Crandall; brothers in law, Mark (Wendy) Crandall and David Crandall; many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, baby brother Scott and Grandson JT2. Following his wishes cremation has taken place. A Celebration of life will take place on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the Hartman Conference Center, Allegan, from 1:00 - 5:00 PM. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Allegan Fire Department. Arrangements entrusted to the Bloomingdale Chapel, D. L. Miller Funeral Home, www.dlmillerfuneralhome.com.

Dirk Tenwalde

September 11, 1957 - July 4, 2021