81, of Kailua, Hawaii, passed away peacefully in the home that he loved on June 24, 2022. He will be missed by his wife of 42 years, Joanna (Jenkins) and their DeRyke/Walker clan: Erik, Sean, Nicole, Scott and 12 grandchildren, including hanai grandsons Daniel and David. Bob and his twin brother Don (1941-2019) were born in the Netherlands and emigrated to the U.S. with their family as young boys. After high school the two spent a short time as peer counselors at a local reform school. Bob then returned to the Netherlands on a 2 year Mormon mission. From there, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines Corps, serving as a navigator in South East Asia. Fortunately for his family, this brought him to Hawaii where, overwhelmed by the natural beauty of the islands, he vowed to make Hawaii his home. Always interested in the composition of things, he earned a degree in chemistry and worked for several years in wood treatment and as a water quality chemist at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station. His desire to understand how things work together drew him to study computer science and enabled him to enjoy many productive, satisfying years as a management analyst/operations researcher for the US Army headquarters at Ft. Shafter. A true Renaissance man, Bob's interests and talents included oil painting, wood working, building computers, classic country western music, and sharing his seemingly endless collection and love of films. In his retirement years he walked his dogs, studied quantum physics and mused on the origin of the universe. Bob was a quiet, generous man with a quick wit and a warm-hearted laugh. He opened his heart and home to family and friends who will remember him fondly. He is also survived by his sister Mirjam Barker and many nieces and nephews who will now miss both of their favorite uncles, Bob and Don. Family and close friends will celebrate Bob's life at his family home in Kailua on Aug. 13. St. Christopher's Church in Kailua will dedicate Aug 14 Sunday morning services in memory of Bob. Military honors and inurnment will be held Aug. 15, at 11 a.m. at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe. Arrangements Provided By: O'ahu Mortuary
