When I think of my elder brother, I think of somebody who enjoyed work. I remember Uncle Henry visiting us when I was a teenager. He said, “Years ago when I visited here there was a little argument as to who would do some little chose; Rich jumped up and said, “Ik wil het doen, Ik bin niet lui.” [I will do it, I’m not lazy.] This phrase has followed my bother most of his life, for siblings seldom allow an amusing incident like that to go unnoticed.

I took advantage of Rich’s enthusiasm and often sat on the manure spreader and entertained him while he cleaned the horse stalls. I never remember him informing my father about my lack of participation or of any misdeeds I might have committed. I’m certain that we had a few arguments but nothing lasted to be remembered. I am indebted to Rich for many good things I learned in my youth.

When my folks left the farm, Rich married a good Dutch girl from Melvin, Leona Struyk. Rich moved from the upstairs bedroom to the bedroom downstairs where he and all his brothers and sisters were conceived and born. I’m trying to keep this account focused on my siblings, but I must put in a word for Leona. Shortly after I was discharged from the Navy I moved into the old farm house which now belonged to my elder brother and his wife, not realizing that this was not my home anymore. Thank you, Leona for being gracious about my thoughtlessness.

Rich and Leona had two sets of twins: Dick and Donna, and several years later Linda and Letha were born. Their last child Beth, was born the same day their grandchild, Doug was born. Now you know why we have a unique family. Rich and Leona have been married for more than 62 years.

As our family increased, Dad bought a “surrey with a fringe on top.” Slim was soon pulling five of us to school every morning and home again in the afternoon.

Marjorie was an excellent cook. She often favored me by making things she knew I enjoyed. When not working, which was often, Marjorie enjoyed reading books and playing the piano.

While in the Navy, I took a 30-day leave from the U.S.S. California. Before departing I noticed a piece of jewelry in the canteen – a small anchor with a chain attached to a shield. I envisioned this on my elder sister. I had never bought a present for anybody in my life and five dollars was a lot of money, even if the jewelry was gold-plated. When I gave it to her she pinned it on a part of her dress that caused it to bounce as she walked. I was very glad I had bought it.

Marjorie told me she had met a young man from Orange City and displayed a smile that told me he was someone very special. When Jack Duimstra showed up, the younger children always ran to meet him at the door. They were rewarded with candy from Jack’s pockets.

Jack and my sister were married in 1935. They had three children, Dave, Dan, and Debbie. Marjorie is the only sibling that has passed away, after 52 years of marriage. Her husband, Jack, had an interesting homegoing a few years later. It happened in this way:

The pastor of their church asked Jack to take over the weekly Bible study. And he finished the lesson he said, “Let’s close by singing, ‘Sweet Hour of Prayer.’” He sang heartily,

“Sweet hour of prayer, Sweet hour of prayer,

Thy wings shall my petitions bear…”

He said the last words slowly, then fell to the floor and died. Whenever I tell this account of Jack’s homegoing someone will say, “Isn’t that a wonderful way to go?”

Something beautiful, something good.
All my confusion He understood.
All I had to offer Him was brokeness and strife
But He made something beautiful of my life.

Leona is nearly four years my junior. I recall with sadness that I often did things to irritate her and cause her to cry, which she did frequently. Leona was like me in some ways, possessing a little rebellious streak. She left home as soon as possible to enroll for nurse’s training in Sioux City. Check Leona’s high school diploma and you’ll see only one “a” in her Bogard. After receiving her certification as a nurse she moved west because a certain Dutchman from Sanborn, Sidney Vander Woude, had moved to California. This was the beginning of World War II. Leona and Sid went into the Army. The two of them have joined us in many trips, long and short, including the one to Russia. They also have had a successful marriage of more than 50 years. Sid and Leona, parents of four children: Cheryl, Stan, Mark and Steve owned and operated nursing homes very successfully.

I encouraged him to join the National Guard. Approximately two years later he was marching to the train depot with approximately 100 other young men. Th Guard had been called for training in Louisiana. After war was declared, the company was sent to North Ireland. A short time later these green kids were sent to invade North Africa. They were ill equipped, poorly led and insufficiently trained. As a result, there were many casualties from Sheldon. Milo came out without any injuries.

While on furlough in 1945, Milo met Hazel Kreykes, an Army nurse from Sheldon. Both left about the same time for the pacific. When the war ended, they both returned to Sheldon and were married. Milo became a partner in Bogard Cleaners. They have four children: Mary Beth, Norman, Bonita and Ruth. They’ve been married for more that 50 years.

Our convoy went to many different ports and we ended at Ft. McHenry, Maryland. Our mail was brought aboard and the news from home was very good. Norma’s condition was greatly improved.

Norma also chose nursing as a profession. Upon her graduation she traveled west and lived with our parents who had moved to Santa Cruz in 1948. She brought everything to California except her heart. After a few months she told us that her classmate, Roger Gintert, held first place in her life. But “Alas, he’s not Dutch!” Norma, we are glad you broke this cycle. Roger has proved to be a wonderful brother.

After their marriage in Iowa, they soon joined us to live in Santa Cruz. They have been married for more than 50 years and have two children, Lean and Doak. Roger was in the Armed Services during World War II.

Norma has been the glue that has kept the Bogaard family together. After doing the Family Reunion work for many years, she has passed this responsibility on to the next generation. Now, with modern technology and the use of the Internet, Norma keeps the entire family linked in a prayer chain by e-mail.

This has been a wonderful service in sharing concerns, illnesses or blessings to all of us. Roger and Norma always find older people to whom they can minister. Many times Nelina has been in the hospital and Norma always seems to be there when she opens her eyes. What a comfort. A mutual friend once said, “The lives of Roger and Norma display second-mile Christianity.”

As previously mentioned, David was a great help in the success of Bogard Construction. He was in charge of all phases of the building. As you may have surmised in reading thus far, Nelina and I made frequent trips and were often absent from the construction sites. David took care of everything as if it were his own. When I was in Iowa running Bogard Dry cleaning, Milo took care of the business there. David did it in Santa Cruz. I had had four good brothers. That is why it bears repeating.

David has five children: Barbara, Brian, Julie, Jane and Amie. David and Arden have been married for more than 45 years.

A little humor has circulated among our family members for years, involving baby brother. As a youngster, Calvin was supposed to be home at a certain time so that he could perform his duties around the small ranch. On this particular day he knew my parents were going to a funeral. He enjoyed all sports, as most young boys do, and played very late that day because he figured the folks would not be home. When he saw they were home, he opened the door and with a big smile said, “Hi! Did you have a good time at the funeral?” This little story has been passes around among the family for more than 60 years. This reply is given whenever someone returns from a funeral, even to this day.

Calvin graduated from Biola University and Western Seminary. After a short period as a senior pastor at a church in Riverton, Wyoming, he became a Chaplain in the Airforce. He served a term of duty during Vietnam War and was discharged as a Colonel after 26 years of active duty at various bases in Europe and the Far East.

Nelina and I visited Can and Ellen at bases all over the United States and Europe. These younger kinfolk have been married more than 45 years and have four children: Colleen, Arie (a Lt. Colonel in the Army), Karla and Dirk.

The Bogaard family has a reunion every five years. We will meet in the millennial year at Brainerd Minnesota. There will be 178 members of the family present.

Here are some statistics concerning my seven brothers and sisters (including their spouses):

Six have been married for more that fifty years.
Six served overseas in the Second World War.
One served in the Korean Conflict.
One served in the Vietnam War.
All are followers of Jesus Christ and are active in their churches and in other ministries.
“ We are one in the bond of live” has been our theme song.

We love each grandchild dearly. If in these writings there seems to be a disparity in content between the grandchildren it was not intentional. There are approximately 20 years between the oldest and the youngest. I have had more contact with the older ones. Therefore, some of the detail might appear to be biased.

Most readers have heard the old adage, “If I had known grandchildren were such a joy, I would have had them first.” Although we never had any problems with our sons as they were reaching for adulthood, I can relate to that special affection we develop for grandchildren. Vic and Peggy gave us our first, Tammy. First, a little background:

Last year we bought our eighth car – this one for Becky, our youngest grandchild. No, this practice does not carry on to the great grandchildren.

In 1992 we realized that the birthday anniversaries of Britt and Erin were a few months apart, so we bought two Pontiac Grand Prixs – a white one and a red one. One Christmas Eve, Santa made some noise outside. We all ran out. The garage doors opened and the lights shined on two ribboned cars. The two girls embraced each other by jumping up and down for some time. Seeing those happy faces was well worth it.

Now, back to Tammy, our eldest granddaughter. Several years ago as we were having lunch together she informed me that she was not happy with her present employment. I suggested applying to the C.H.P. One year later, after further investigation, she was in the organization. She has done very well in her career with the California Highway Patrol. On May 20, 1999, the Coastal Division of the Department of California Highway Patrol in our city honored Tammy Bogard, #11791, in her thirteenth year as a patrol officer. She was selected for a position at the Academy as an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course instructor. The officials stated in a memo that Tammy “has accomplished a work safety record without flaw.” As a motorcycle patrol officer in our city, she has received many letters of thanks from the public and commendations from the Department.

One of the paragraphs in a “Memorandum” from Dave Stuflick, a Commander with the C.H.P., reads:

Tammy’s contributions to the success of the Area are many and varied. She is responsible for a litany of collateral assignments. Currently, she is a Certified Motorcycle Training Officer, a Field Training Officer, a shift Officer in Charge, and a member of the Coastal Division Protective Services Detail. She is the Area Special Events Coordinator and sits on the Area Occupational Safety Committee. Her most recent accomplishment was her appointment by acclamation as a representative of the California Association of highway Patrolmen. She has performed admirably and competently in each of these duties.

Shelleen is second, married to David Paul. They have two sons, Matt and Cole. Shelly is a wonderful wife and mother and a bubbly girl who wears a perpetual smile. She is especially kind and caring toward the elderly. She has worked a few high-tech firms in sales and is usually first in volume for the year.

“Chip,” (Victor Frank Bogaard III) is married to Suzie. They have two children, Victor Frank Bogaard IV (Rex) and Ryan. Chip and Suzie have just gone through the ordeal of building their own house. I hope it was a pleasant experience. Chip is now president of Bogard Construction. He is leading the Company to expand its vision for the new millennium. A letter written to his cousin, Jared, expresses Chip’s desire to work as a team as his father and uncles did harmoniously for thirsty-plus years.

When Chip graduated from high school he helped build our present house. We had an opportunity to build a large dwelling nearby. I suggested a kind of partnership so that all the profits would be his. We didn’t know where this might lead to in future years. I soon found that this little kid new everything.

One day as I was trying to share with him a bit of wisdom he said, “Grandpa, I know that.” I responded, “You are just a snot-nosed kid and you don’t know anything.” Then I walked away.

Shortly afterward I returned and said, “Chip, I want to be your grandfather, not your teacher.”

When the job was finished Chip worked for Bogard Construction and has been doing a good job. He often tells the story about “the kid with the runny nose.”

In a 1998 letter to his cousin Jared, Chip wrote:

I am excited about our future. It was getting a little hairy there for a while just after Suzie and I returned from Fort Collins. Your desire to follow in your father’s footsteps ha s really helped to solidify our future plans. Equally as important was your successful experience this summer as you have been able to experience our industry on a day-to-day basis at a hands-on lever.

As you progress through your Junior year in college and you begin to wonder why you need to sit through those boring classes when you could actually be working in the field, you have chose, remember this: Think about our future when making business decisions which will affect our business long after you have graduated. Likewise, I expect you to make good, sound decisions as you work through your school and eventually accept your diploma…

…The torch has not been completely passed to the next generation but that time is coming. If this seems a little scary, good. IT is a heavy burden and I do not intend to carry it alone. The rewards are numerous. We need to be prepared. I am confident that you will be a great partner. The wonderful thing is that we have been tremendously blessed with partners committed to helping us to succeed. They won’t do the work for us, but they are willing to provide us with all of the necessary support. This company needs your education and all of the experiences you can glean from your college years. (Well, maybe not all of your experiences.)

…Take comfort in the fact that this business is being managed with you in mind. We have it under control for now. By t the time you graduate we will be well on our way to meeting some of our long-term goals and objectives.

I am anxiously awaiting the day when you walk in the door as a full-time partner and friend.

Sincerely, Chip

Brad and Karla have three children: Brittany, Byron and Becky. Brittany is the oldest. The comments I made for her cousin Shelley could be repeated for Britt. She continues to light up our lives with her laughter. When she enters the room she sort of brings in a contagious joy that seems to be catching to all who are in her presence. We celebrate the same birthday anniversary: July 15th.

Britt graduated from the University of the Pacific in Stockton in 1998, the same school her parents attended. She is teaching special education at a high school near San Jose. Britt will soon receive her Master’s Degree.

Byron is also attending University of the Pacific as a junior. He will graduate in the fall of 2000 with a degree in communications. He does not seem to be interested in construction. His mother says he has to make a living with his mouth, whatever that means.

This past summer, he and his cousin Jared worked in a Young Life Camp in Eastern Oregon. This was both a spiritual and an exciting adventure for both of them. Nelina and I, along with Jim and Cindy, visited this mammoth camp (10 square miles) this summer. A Mr. Washington gave this property to Young Life. You may have heard about it 12 years ago. A guru from India raised approximately $70,000,000 from his followers, built as airport, a hotel, and more than 300 other buildings. He had 50 Rolls Royce automobiles. The story is extremely interesting. This misguided “seer” ran afoul of U.S. law and was unceremoniously booted out of the country. I suppose he returned to India where he came from.

When Byron was 14 years old, he was riding in a four-wheel-drive Ford pick-up with a friend, Anthony Filice and two other chums-all 14 – when their truck rolled into a murky pond. The truck filled with water instantly. Anthony was pinned inside underneath the water, so Byron dove into the muddy pond several times until he finally dislodged his friend and dragged him out.

“Anthony’s my best friend, and he was dead weight,” Byron told a reporter. “It thought I was pulling out a dead person.”

The poor chap’s face was “dark blue’ and his lips were “dark purple,” Byron said. But he and Chris Ciro started cardiopulmonary resuscitation, pumping air into the lungs of their friend, while Pete Wenz ran for help.

“I just thank God that He let us all live through it,” Byron said.

Becky is our youngest grandchild. She is a senior at Monte Vista Christian School, has been recognized as an outstanding player in both volleyball and basketball, and is the student body president and Homecoming Princess this year. I am surprised that she is also an outstanding student academically. That’s my Becky!

As a rule, the family has a habit of coming together for tea on Sunday afternoon. This has been going on for more than a hundred years. A Dutch practice, I think. This is not planned. It just happens. After my parents died, each sibling often follows through whit this social function. Now how does this tie in with Becky?

I have noticed for several years that she is the one who gathers up the dishes and takes them to the kitchen without being told. This does not go by unnoticed by the Grandfather. I have just been reminded that all the girls did this little choir graciously. However, Becky is much younger and had done it longer. This young lady sort of catches your heart with her smile and presence. A ver fine Lass.

Jim and Cindy gave us two grandchildren – Erin and Jared.

Like the other grandchildren, Erin has been as exciting person to watch mature and become an adult. She married a fine young man, Dean Shwartz, who is part owner in a tire shop.

Erin is an excellent homemaker. When I watch her perform her duties as a mother with her daughter, Alannah, the thought comes to mind: “Did this young lady take a course in Motherhood?” She seems to have that professional touch.

Now last, but not least, is Jared. You have read his cousin “Chip’s” invitation to join him in Bogard Construction. He is looking forward to this new phase in his life.

I frequently have lunch with the grandchildren. Recently Jared joined me for chowder at The Wharf. It is exciting to hear these young people who are ready to step out into the future and challenge the system with new ideas. As we grow older, we seem to be more comfortable with old problems than with new solutions.

I must call attention to an even in Jared’s life that happened when he was 11 years old. His father, Jim, and he memorized Colossians 3 and recited it before the church body, each one alternating one verse at a time.

Things like that make grandparents very proud. A hearty thanks to all our Grand and Great grandchildren. Each one of you has contributed a special blessing to our lives that cannot be expressed in these words, so …count your blessings.

“The Flowering Orchard”

In her book, Waiting on God, Simone Wiel wrote: “The greatest attribute a human can have is humility.” I might have lost that in this recap of our family. Pride is also a sin. Is it possible to be “humbly proud?” I guess not. Nelina and I often wonder why the Lord has blessed us so abundantly. We don’t have the answers so we end this autobiography as we started by urging readers to “count your blessings.”

As I write this last page, it is December 29, 1999, my father’s birthday anniversary. He was born one hundred and fourteen years ago. Tomorrow would be the birthday anniversary of my elder sister, Marjorie. She died at the young age of seventy-six.

In three days we will enter into the year 2000, a new millennium. I wonder if there will be as much change in the next century as I have witnessed in the past eighty-four years. I was in high school before I ever used a flush toilet. A horse and buggy was my mode of travel. Supersonic jets, television and computers were just dreams for the future when I was a boy. Recently I read that we haven’t seen anything yet. The next century will bring surprises that are beyond our imaginations.

As we enter this new millennium, I am reminded of a plaque I saw in the beautiful Gothic George Chapel in Windsor, England. On the wrought-iron gate that encloses the tomb of King George VI is a quotations read by him on Christmas day in 1939. It will help to remember that during this time the English Commonwealth was going through a very dark period. Hitler controlled Europe and was bombing England relentlessly. Some theologians might argue as to its scriptural truth. However, I think the words are appropriate for the end of this century and they will bring a closure to these, my memoirs.

The king read these words:

I said to the man, who stood at the gate of the year,
Give me light that I may tread safely into the unknown.
And he replied,
“ Go out into the darkness
And put your hand into the hand of God.
That shall be to you better than a light
And safer than a known way.”