Bryce Bandstra Obituary

Bandstra, Bryce Henry A memorial service for Bryce Bandstra will be held at the Broadway United Methodist Church - 3344 North Broadway in Chicago on Saturday, April 30th at 3:00 pm. Mr. Bandstra, an award-winning horticulturalist, died of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, BC on Tuesday, November 30, 2010. Prior to moving to British Columbia, Mr. Bandstra worked in public horticulture in the city of Chicago. From 1990-1998 he was the Director of Horticulture for the John G. Shedd Aquarium where he designed and installed seven theme gardens on the four acre site and helped select and install Pacific Northwest plants in the Aquarium's famed Oceanarium exhibit. For his work at the Shedd Aquarium he received the 1997 Best Public Landscape Award from Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. During the summer of 1998 Mr. Bandstra worked for the motion picture producer, the late John Hughes, designing and installing gardens on his country estate near Harvard, IL. From 1998 to 2006 Mr. Bandstra served first as the General Foreman and later as the acting Director of Chicago's two historic conservatoires where he oversaw four acres under glass and six acres of gardens surrounding them. During this time he designed, on behalf of the Chicago Park District, six award-winning flower shows for the Chicago Flower and Garden show including: Best in Show in 2001 and 2005; Best use of Color in 2000 and 2003; Best Not-for-Profit Garden in 2002; and Most Imaginative Garden in 2004. Mr. Bandstra was a member of the American Public Gardens Association and the Professional Gardeners Guild. He also taught landscape design classes to students from Chicago's Columbia College, was a featured speaker at many Chicago area garden clubs and civic groups, and was regularly interviewed by Chicago's media. After moving to Vancouver, BC in 2006, Mr. Bandstra became the horticulturalist for the Vancouver Golf Club where he renovated three gardens, designed and installed four additional gardens, and designed and installed a Logo Garden in celebration of the Vancouver Golf Club's centennial. Mr. Bandstra also donated his skills by designing and installing the Wilf Evans Garden at West Burnaby United Church and the Chapel Garden at St. Michael's Care Centre in Burnaby, BC. Prior to entering horticulture, Mr. Bandstra taught elementary education in the Christian schools of Aylmer, Ontario and South Holland, Illinois. Bryce Bandstra was born on September 24, 1951 in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the son of Henry and Luella Vos Bandstra. He grew up on dairy farms near Pella, Iowa and earned a bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Dordt College and a degree in horticulture from Joliet College. After he and his life partner, Rick Newbury, were married at Ucluelet, BC on July 5, 2004 they decided to immigrate to Canada where their marriage would be legally recognized. Mr. Bandstra was a member of the West Burnaby United Church in Burnaby where he served on the Official Board, the Property Committee, the Kitchen Committee, and prepared the power point for the weekly worship service. Mr. Bandstra also sang in the Stained GLASS (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Supporters) Choir. In Chicago Mr. Bandstra sang with the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, was a member of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network), and marched with his partner and children regularly in the Chicago Pride Parade. Mr. Bandstra was preceded in death by his father, Henry, and a sister, Ruth. He is survived by his life partner and husband of over sixteen years, Rick Newbury, his former wife, Katherine Beezhold, three daughters - Adele of South Holland, IL and Michelle Schneider (Ron) and Danelle Leep (Kenny) of Highland, Indiana, four grandchildren - Zachary and Marissa Schneider and Freddie and Sammy Leep. He is also survived by his mother, Luella, one brother, Bryan (Becky) of Pella, Iowa, and two nephews, Travis and Taylor and one niece, Bethany Cavanaugh. Mr. Bandstra is also survived by his spouse's three children who he loved as his own - Stephen Newbury (Jennifer) and Nathan Newbury (Marci) of Lexington, KY and Rachel Blomquist (Greg) of Columbia, MO and Rick's four grandchildren - Jackson, Emily Elizabeth, Gideon, and Bodhi Newbury. Though Bryce was an amazingly talented and creative man he will be most remembered for his kind and gracious heart. He loved God and God's creation. He was a gentle soul who shared his wonderful gift of hospitality with all who passed his way.