Roy Arthur Derksen

On September 25, 2024, Roy Arthur Derksen of Shoreline, WA, passed away at Kindred Hospital in Seattle following complications from a stroke.

Roy was born in Mountain Lake, MN on October 15, 1944 to Albert J. and Kathryn (Peters) Derksen. He excelled in school and went to Wheaton College to study Math. While there he met Charlotte Meynink and they married on December 27,1966. Their daughter, Kathryn, was born in 1971 while they were teaching abroad in Botswana. Their daughter, Elizabeth, was born in 1974 in Jackson, Minnesota, where Roy was teaching middle school math.

The family moved to East Palo Alto, California in 1979 so Charlotte could work at Stanford University. Roy focused on raising their daughters while teaching math part time at the College of San Mateo. In 2004, upon retirement, they moved to Seattle, WA where both daughters had settled, to be close to their growing families. They joined Evergreen Mennonite Church where Roy served in many ways, including Church Treasurer, Leadership Council and Worship Committee. Roy was pianist his last Sunday in attendance, September 1, 2024.

Roy’s interests included stamp collecting and music; as well as family history and genealogy, which he did with Charlotte. He enjoyed time with his grandchildren, from trips to the Museum of Flight to playing with vintage toys, some made by his grandfather. He and Charlotte supported their children’s music and peacebuilding ministry careers, attending concerts, and traveling to all three African nations where Kathryn and family worked.

In the last month of his life, Roy traveled back to his hometown, along with Kathryn, Elizabeth and granddaughters, Lotty and Sarah, to visit family and see the old farm. While there, they celebrated his coming 80th birthday with many cousins.

Roy is survived by his wife Charlotte Derksen; daughter Kathryn Smith Derksen with husband Dan and their two children, Claire, and Jacob; daughter Elizabeth Brown with husband Paul and their two children Charlotte (Lotty) and Sarah.

Cards/Flowers may be sent to:

Charlotte Derksen
19327 Kings Garden Drive N, #OTC 106
Shoreline, WA 98155

Donations in honor of Roy may be made to either Evergreen Mennonite Church or the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation