Bryce Henry Bandstra
Former Boystown resident Bryce Bandstra, an award-winning horticulturalist, died of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver Nov. 30. He was 59.
Bandstra was 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 honor of the Vancouver Golf Club's centennial. 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. He also designed the Deer Lake United Church Garden.
Prior to moving to British Columbia, Bandstra worked in public horticulture for 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 located and planted Pacific Northwest plants for 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 Bandstra worked for the late motion-picture producer/director John Hughes, designing and installing gardens on his formal English estate near Harvard, Ill.
From 1998 to 2006 Bandstra served first as the general foreman and later as the acting director of Chicago's two historic conservatories, 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 Colour in 2000 and 2003; Best Not-for-Profit Garden in 2002; and Most Imaginative Garden in 2004.
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.
Prior to entering horticulture, Bandstra taught elementary education in the Christian schools of Aylmer, Ontario, Canada, and South Holland, Ill.
Bryce Bandstra was born Sept. 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 bachelor's 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, B.C., on July 5, 2004 they decided to immigrate to Canada, where their marriage would be legally recognized. Bandstra was a member of the West Burnaby United Church in Burnaby, where he served on the official board, the property committee and the kitchen committee, and prepared the PowerPoint for the weekly worship service. Bandstra sang in the Stained GLASS (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Supporters) Choir and also participated with Newbury in a monthly "Queer Salon" for more mature queers.
In Chicago, Bandstra sang with the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, was a member of GLSEN,and marched with his partner and children regularly in the Chicago Pride Parade.
Bandstra was preceded in death by his father, Henry, and a sister, Ruth. He is survived by Newbury, his life partner and husband of more than 16 years; his former wife, Katherine Beezhold; three daughters—Adele of South Holland, Ill., and Michelle Schneider (Ron) and Danelle Leep (Kenny) of Highland, Ind.; 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. 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.
A memorial service for Bryce Bandstra was held at the West Burnaby United Church, 6050 Sussex Avenue, Burnaby Dec. 11. A second memorial service will be held at the Broadway United Methodist Church in Chicago Saturday, April 30, at 2 p.m.
Although 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.
David S. Marsink
David S. Marsink, 46, passed away unexpectedly Nov. 18 at his home in Andersonville.
Marsink was a multi-talented artist and actor. He attended the Art Institute of Chicago, trained at Victory Gardens Theater and trained and performed at Second City. He appeared in a variety of roles, including leads in Annie Get Your Gun, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and The Wizard of Oz.
When an incident of medical malpractice ended Marsink's acting career, he became a fierce advocate for patient's rights and the rights of the uninsured. He was never afraid to challenge the medical community's often indifference to the needs of patients who were unable to advocate for themselves. He was an avid videophile and an expert on television-related collectibles, especially from Dr. Who and Star Trek. He is survived by his friends and family of choice, who will miss his courage, passion and wonderful sense of humor. Memorials may be made to the Art Therapy Program of BEHIV, 1244 W. Thorndale, Chicago, Ill., 60660.
