As some know, my Dad passed away three weeks ago today. It was a total shock to everyone and the aftermath has been difficult. We're still trying to pick up the pieces a bit, but know that God is faithful. For those that weren't able to attend the memorial service in California, I wanted to post his obituary and also the words that my sister, Alyssa, shared.
Before I do that though, I want to share Ruby's comment when she saw this picture, which was on the cover of the program, "There's Grampa and Jesus!"
That's how I imagine him today. So happy and carefree. Perfected and with his loving Savior.
Daniel Bret Armstrong
February 22, 1955 - March 22, 2008
Services March 28, 2008
First Presbyterian Church
Salinas, California
Daniel Bret Armstrong, of Salinas, CA, passed away suddenly Saturday, March 22, 2008 at the age of 53. Dan loved the outdoors and exercise. In the past year he had become an avid cyclist and was enjoying a bike ride with friends when he experienced heart failure.
Born in Madison, WI on February 22, 1955 to Michael and Janice Armstrong, Dan was the second of five children and spent his childhood in Iowa and Wisconsin. He is survived by brothers Mick, Tim, and Tom, and one sister, Melanie (Heuer).
Dan met his first wife, Pamela (Bollman) through friends at church and they were married in 1977. Pam preceded Dan in death in 1994. He is survived by four daughters from this union, Bethany Nelson (Jared), Heidi Armstrong, Alyssa Mafuiana (Claudio), and Christina Carter (Derek). He is also survived by two grandchildren, Ruby and Maxwell Nelson.
Dan received his BS in 1979 at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse where he studied microbiology. Soon after graduation, he became interested in the food industry and quality control.
His career included time with General Mills, Jel Sert, Quaker, Pillsbury, SureBeam and most recently, Fresh Express where he was Senior Director of Quality for North America. He was known for his strong work ethic and his ability to work with others, encouraging them to maximize their potential
In 2005, Dan married Anzhela (German) Armstrong who survives, and accepted her daughter Yulia Pidlubnyak as his own. In July 2006, their son Jonathan was born. Dan loved Jonny, Yulia, and Anzhela very much and he was very proud of their accomplishments.
He was a loving and attentive father to each of his children and grandchildren. Even though some of his children lived far away, he was faithful to call each week for a Sunday chat.
All of Dan’s adult life he enjoyed the mountains, especially camping and hiking. He was even talked into sky diving by Alyssa and willingly took his first “plunge” with her. He also enjoyed cars and anything else with wheels!
Only in the last few years was he able to fulfill his life long dream of making California his home.
He embraced the climate and lifestyle whole heartedly, spending part of every weekend at the beach. He didn’t miss the snow and ice of the Midwest and loved reminding his friends and family in colder areas how great he had it!
Dan enjoyed life in many ways and had a great sense of fun and adventure
Those who knew Dan knew that he loved the Lord and he was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Salinas. He enjoyed teaching Sunday School classes to children of all ages and participated in a Bible study that meets at Fresh Express. In the past, he had also enjoyed singing in the church choir and in some small groups.
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Good morning. I would like to share with you some things that my sisters and I remember about our Dad. Our Dad was always full of life. Passionate about so many things: He loved the outdoors, he loved learning and teaching others what he learned.
I believe that if you just went on one camping trip with Dad, you would know so much about his character. First of all, he always planned everything out very carefully. For a 2-week vacation in August, preparations would begin 1 year in advance. Reservations would be made, the route would be planned out, and money would be saved. Through the year list after list would be made by both Mom and Dad of necessary items for the trip.
When it was finally time to go, we would wake up early, attempting to leave at 5am. Packing our trailer was something of a puzzle and science where you had to take into account the space available, size and weight of the item and at what point in the trip the item was needed. We finished packing the trailer by covering it with a tarp. He made sure that every part of the tarp was held down with a rope or a bungee cord. Any excess tarp was tucked in to reduce the amount of flapping and to ensure the safety of the items.
Once we arrived at our campsite and the tent was set up, the same rules applied as at home: No shoes inside the tent and any dirt that was found on the floor was promptly swept out. Another thing is that we didn’t go to a campsite to sit around; we went with a purpose. We hiked a different trail everyday starting with the easy ones and each day tackling a harder trail. We packed a picnic lunch for when we arrived at the end of the trail and made sure to follow Grandpa Bollman’s Law: “If you packed it in, you can pack it out”. (Meaning that you must never litter in God’s creation.) On our trails Dad always led the pack and Mom corralled the stragglers. If we got too tired we would stop by a stream fed by the glaciers to wade or swim.
Even if we were on a vacation, Dad never left his food safety knowledge behind. For example, when washing dishes we had to boil the water first and had to wash all the dishes before the water got cold.
Those of you that knew my Dad knew how much he loved desserts. On our camping trips that translated into S’mores roasted over the fire he built.
Even though Dad was so meticulous and careful, these are some of our favorite memories from our childhood.
One of Dad’s last trips was to Mozambique, Africa to give me away at my wedding. While there he built many friendships with people there. One of the highlights of the trip was a safari in Krueger Park. To go we had to rent a car and the only car available was a lime green car from Japan that was smaller than a Volkswagon Beetle. At one point in our safari we were stopped on the road with an elephant 10 feet away from us. As he started to walk closer Dad had an internal battle trying to decide if one last picture was worth risking our personal safety.
At another point in our trip, Dad stopped the car suddenly. Claudio and I were searching for this animal that Dad stopped for, but it turned out to be a dung beetle! We spent 45-minutes watching that dung beetle roll it’s dung back to it’s burrow, all the while Dad videotaping and explaining the importance of the dung beetle. Apparently it was just like National Geographic!
Right before leaving Mozambique Claudio’s parents prayed over Dad and closed with Psalms 23 and that’s how I will close today:
Salmos 23
O Senhor é o meu pastor; nada me faltará.
Deitar-me faz em pastos verdejantes; guia-me mansamente a águas tranqüilas.
Refrigera a minha alma; guia-me nas veredas da justiça por amor do seu nome.
Ainda que eu ande pelo vale da sombra da morte, não temerei mal algum,
porque tu estás comigo; a tua vara e o teu cajado me consolam.
Preparas uma mesa perante mim na presença dos meus inimigos;
unges com óleo a minha cabeça, o meu cálice transborda.
Certamente que a bondade e a misericórdia me seguirão todos os dias da minha vida,
e habitarei na casa do Senhor por longos dias.
Psalms 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
