Robert M. Nederveld

Robert Melvin Nederveld, age 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 13, 2026, to be with his Lord and Savior, surrounded by his loving family. Robert was born in Grand Rapids on September 19, 1939, to Melvin, a tool and die maker, and Helen (Feenstra) Nederveld, a bookkeeper.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 23 years, Dawn (Derby) Nederveld; his daughters, Cynthia (Bill) Beekman, Pamela (Mike) Swope, Kristin Deppen, and Kendra (Tom) Hickox; his stepdaughters, Dana VanMale and Nicole  Vos; his grandchildren, Katie, Nick, and Will Beekman, Michael, Riley, Emma, and A.J. Swope, Nate, Abby, and Zach Deppen, Emily, Mia, and Ellie Hickox; and step-grandchildren Chase (Heather) Vos, Kirstyn, and Connor VanMale; step-great-grandchild Mallory Vos; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Vita Nederveld; his brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Pat Nederveld; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dan and Beverly Derby; and his brother-in-law, Ron Whitfield.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his sister-in-law, Kathleen Whitfield; and his stepson, Chris Vos.  

Proud of his Westside roots, Bob grew up attending 12th Street Christian Reformed Church and graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1957. Later in life, he became an active member of New Community Church. 

Following his high school graduation, Bob served in the U.S. Army artillery from 1957 to 1958. Upon his honorable discharge, he attended Grand Rapids Junior College before transferring to Michigan State University. Bob put himself through school by working a 40-hour-a-week night shift while maintaining a full course load, earning his degree in economics from MSU.

Bob began his career in the commercial division of Hartford Insurance. While there, he continued his education at Western Michigan University, earning his MBA in 1972, graduating on the very day his twin daughters were born. 

After working in Hartford’s Detroit and Grand Rapids offices, Bob joined a Grand Rapids-based independent agency in 1973. Following a second stint with a national carrier, Bob struck out on his own, fulfilling a long-held desire to run and operate his own truly independent insurance agency by founding the R.M. Nederveld Agency, Inc. in 1980. 

Highly respected in his field, Bob served as a board member of the Kent County Independent Insurance Association and as its president in 1986. He took pride in insuring a diverse array of commercial and personal clients and in finding solutions for those with complex and unique insurance needs. He later partnered with Peter Bylsma to form the Bylsma-Nederveld Agency, Inc., ultimately retiring at the age of 78 after selling the firm to a regional insurance provider. 

Bob (also known as Rob) was a passionate, lifelong supporter of all things MSU and was a dedicated football and basketball season ticket holder for many years. He rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on his beloved Spartans. Bob loved watching and playing sports, especially basketball, and in his later years, found joy watching his grandchildren participate in their own wide spectrum of sports and activities. 

Deeply engaged with the world around him, Bob kept a keen interest in politics, economics, and world affairs, and considered himself fiscally conservative and socially progressive. He enjoyed thoughtful discussions about issues affecting his community and the world. 

An avid traveler, Bob enjoyed traveling across the United States and venturing around the world. He possessed a lifelong thirst for knowledge - a newspaper or book was always close at hand, and he enjoyed sharing what he learned and encouraged others to stay engaged with the world around them. 

Bob’s life was defined by perseverance, curiosity, and commitment to learning. As a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, he freely shared his knowledge, encouraged thoughtful discussion, and took great interest in the lives of those around him. Bob was a complex, intense, very intellectual man, quiet at times, but could be outspoken when he felt it necessary. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held 11am on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at New Community Church 2340 Dean Lake Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505. The family will greet friends on Monday, June 22 from 4-6pm at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home , 4291 Cascade Rd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.  

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