Robert van Blommestein

Robert van Blommestein, 90, of Lake Tanglewood entered into the presence of the Lord on August 20, 2021.

Memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 26, 2021 at the Lake Tanglewood Community Church. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home.

Robert was born on August 4, 1931 in Bandung on the island of Java in Indonesia.  Robert’s family was of Dutch, and served in the Royal Dutch Navy.  When the Japanese began their occupation of Indonesia, Robert’s father was taken prisoner.  Robert was 9 years old at that time.  After his father’s death, Robert went to live in the mountains of Java with his aunt Marie.  He and his brother John remained there until the end of the second world war in 1945.

At the age of 18, Robert joined the Royal Dutch Navy and was sent to Holland for training.  Robert completed 6 years in the Navy and then enrolled in Amsterdam College.  He graduated with a degree in electronics.  Shortly after, he reconnected with his childhood sweetheart Maud.  The two were married in July of 1958.  Robert and Maud desperately wanted to go to the US and become US citizens.  This dream became a reality when they were sponsored by the First Christian Church of Amarillo, Texas.  They became naturalized citizens on January 10, 1964.

Robert spent 10 years working for RCA, and then started a 24-year career at Amarillo College.  He retired as a vocational professor and chairman of commercial electronics in 1992.  After Maud passed in 2002, Robert met Polly at Lake Tanglewood.  The two met at a Friday night golfing event at the lake.  Soon thereafter, they realized that they were in love.  Robert and Polly were married on August 18, 2004.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Maud; and his brother, John.

He is survived by his sister, Louis van Blommestein-Lagro; and his wife, Polly van Blommestein of 18 years; daughter, Josephine (Nanda) van Blommestein; son, Charles van Blommestein; grandson, Rocky van Blommestein; and five great-grandchildren.