Kenric Van Wyk
Kenric Van Wyk
Kenric Van Wyk
April 18, 1966 – January 29, 2017
Grand Rapids, Michigan | Age 50
Kenric Dale Van Wyk, 50, of Grand Rapids, Michigan (previously Pella, Iowa) went home to his Lord on January 29, 2017 at Spectrum Health, in Grand Rapids. Kenric was born quickly one morning as a big, bouncing boy to Carroll and Marilyn (Slings) Van Wyk at Mahaska County Hospital in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on April 18, 1966.
On January 2, 1988, Kenric Van Wyk and Carol Rooda, Pella Christian High School sweet hearts, were married at First Christian Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa.
Kenric completed his mechanical engineering degree with honors at Calvin College in 1989. He then completed his Masters of Science degree in engineering; specializing in Acoustical Engineering at Purdue University in Lafayette, IN in 1991. His work was sponsored by Ford Motor Company where he focused his study on asphalt surfaces. This experience helped him become an expert in the understanding of the transfer and shifting of sound in environmental noise.
Kenric entered the professional field at Barron, Kennedy, Lyzun and Associates in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in December 2001. During his time there, he completed more than 500 environmental studies.
In 1999, Kenric returned to Grand Rapids to become full-time manager for Innovative Acoustical Engineering. In 2000, he purchased the assets of IEA and renamed the firm, founding Acoustics By Design Inc. Later that year, Kenric taught acoustical and vibrational engineering classes at his Alma Mater, Calvin College. He expanded his business over the years, which at one point, included satellite offices in Valparaiso, IN and Ann Arbor, MI. Acoustics By Design now employs nine staff in the Grand Rapids location and five in the Portland, Oregon office, launched in 2015. Kenric mentored and empowered his amazing team, which, during his illness, has successfully continued the business he founded and will continue to serve their clients into the future.
Kenric was instrumental in the creation of the Federal Guidelines Institute’s (FGI) guidelines for the Design and Construction of Healthcare Facilities, and Residential Healthcare Facilities. He spearheaded educational seminars and videos designed to instruct Healthcare professionals in the use of the FGI guidelines. Along with over 5,000 projects around the world, Kenric was a featured speaker at conferences across the USA and internationally. He also served as an expert witness in more than 100 legal matters. Kenric Van Wyk’s company won awards for The 101 Best and Brightest Companies To Work For in West Michigan 10 years in a row and nationally 6 years in a row. The company also won two Elite awards within the 101 Best and Brightest Companies.
Kenric loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with his whole heart. He served his Lord with great passion throughout his life starting in Graduate school at the Christian Reformed Fellowship at Purdue University as a worship leader. When he moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Kenric and his wife, Carol, attended Mundy Park Christian Fellowship, where he served as an elder, worship leader, and spiritual gifts ministry leader. When he moved back to the Grand Rapids area, he, his wife and his new son began attending Fairway Christian Reformed Church where he served as a member of the praise team. In 2001, Kenric and Carol became members of the launch team for HomeFront church, which was in its infancy. Kenric became part of HomeFront’s leadership team where he served as the Worship Director. From March 2011 to May 2012, he served as the Executive Pastor at HomeFront Church. Between 2012 and 2017 he served on the staff board, as worship director, a member of the worship team and as the leader of the spiritual gifts ministry. Kenric also went on six mission trips to Germany with Willow Creek Community Church out of South Barrington, Illinois to assist with the technical production of their conferences. While Kenric served his Lord in the church, he served his Lord most passionately by loving and providing for his family with all his heart.
Kenric is leaving behind his wife, Carol Rooda Van Wyk; his beloved son, Caleb Bertus Van Wyk; his mother, Marilyn Van Wyk of Oskaloosa, Iowa; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Sidney H. Rooda & Dolores J. Rooda of Pella, Iowa; his brothers: Kevin (& Peggy) Van Wyk of Pella, Iowa, and Kerwin (& Toni) Van Wyk of Oskaloosa, Iowa; brothers-in-law: Dennis (& Deb) Rooda of Harvey, Iowa, and Dan (& Helen) Rooda of New Sharon, Iowa. He also leaves behind a great host of friends and loved ones world-wide, including his dear college roommates and their families from Chi 35.
Kenric was preceded in death by his father, Carroll Van Wyk, in October, 1992; and his nephew Benjamin Van Wyk in June, 2005.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, February 4, 2017, at Bethel Christian Reformed Church, 2157 230th St., Oskaloosa, Iowa.
A family visitation is scheduled for after the service and interment.
Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery, Leighton, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Kenric may be made to HomeFront Church in Grandville, Michigan.
