Richard Veen

A memorial service is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Friday, October 14 at Faith Baptist Church for Richard Allan Van Der Veen of Artesia.

Van Der Veen, 35, died at his home October 10, 2016.

Pastors Michael Elliott and Mike Duff will officiate at the service. Honorary pallbearers are Justin Bilberry, Josh Bilberry, Jay Bilberry, Isaac Elliott, Saul Pomeroy, Jarad Neel, and Freddie Florez. He will be laid to rest at Woodbine Cemetery after a private family burial ceremony.

Richard was born to Jack and Linda Van Der Veen on November 13, 1980, in Ontario, CA. He moved to Artesia in 1993, at the age of 12, with his family. He was the eldest of three siblings, sharing his childhood with his sisters, Debbie and Sandy.

Richard was active in his school years, participating on the Artesia High School swim team and working as the manager for the Artesia High School cross country team. He had many friends in fellow students and teachers throughout his school years. He regularly attended church camp where he won the Spirit Award three consecutive years, symbolic of his attitude toward life.

Richard graduated from Artesia High School in 2000. After high school he attended Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell, where he successfully completed vocational certificate programs in the food industry and office management.

Many came to know Richard as the front-of-house manager of The Garden Café in downtown Artesia, which was open from 2004 to 2009. He always greeted customers with a smile and excellent customer service. But, the majority of his work life was dedicated to the local dairy industry, where he worked as a feeder. He was known to be a very dedicated and hard-working employee, who was valued by his co-workers and supervisors.

Richard was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also spent a lot of time traveling the country with his father to watch NASCAR races, a hobby they loved to enjoy together. Richard also enjoyed hunting dove and, especially, deer with his dad.

Richard considered the Faith Baptist Church community to be his extended family. He was a devoted follower of Christ and considered by the church to be a dedicated member and servant. He volunteered every Sunday to handle the behind-the-scenes media tech work that made each service possible. There was no job too large or too small for Richard as he cherished his time with his church family.

Outside of church, Richard volunteered every year with his family to work the corn-on-the-cob booth at Art in the Park. There he was able to support the community and enjoy socializing with friends and neighbors. He attended every Bulldogs home football game he possibly could and kept a busy schedule of standing dinner times with friends and family.

Richard may have had challenges in his life, but he had no limitations and always set high expectations of himself. He faced life with a quiet kindness and a smile that everyone who knew him will remember. He was raised to be an independent and determined man with a strong work ethic and devotion to those he loved. Around town, everyone seemed to know Richard, and he considered them all a friend to him.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather Ken Van Der Veen, grandmother Fern Steenwyk and Uncle Joe Van Der Veen. Survivors include his parents Jack and Linda Van Der Veen of Artesia, sisters Debbie Edwards of Artesia and Sandy Vigil of Elida and their spouses, one niece, two nephews, grandfather Howard Steenwyk of Cypress, CA, grandmother Vern Van Der Veen of Chino, CA, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial contributions be made to Faith Baptist Student Ministries in Artesia.

Service

Funeral

Faith Baptist Church
401 S. 20th
Artesia, NM  88210
Friday, October 14, 2016
9:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Woodbine Cemetery
200 E. Hermosa Drive
Artesia, NM  88210

Memorial Contributions

Faith Baptist Student Ministries
401 S. 20th Street
Artesia, NM  88210