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August 26, 2026
Services
A service celebrating David's life will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Preakness Reformed Church, 131 Church Lane, Wayne, New Jersey. Following a brief graveside service with military honors, family and friends are invited to gather in the church hall for food, fellowship, and remembrance.
David Andrew Terpstra, a cherished patriarch, dedicated community member, and beloved friend, peacefully passed away at his home in Wayne, New Jersey, surrounded by his devoted children.
Born on October 7, 1928, in Passaic, New Jersey, David lived a life rich in love, service, faith, and accomplishment. He was the loving son of Andrew Terpstra and Sophie Hiemstra Terpstra.
David shared 62 wonderful years of marriage with his wife, Shirley May Hackett Terpstra, whom he met at a nursing school dance in East Orange, New Jersey, and married in 1955. Together, they built a family and a life filled with adventure, friendship, and lasting memories until Shirley's passing in June 2017. Their union was blessed with five children: Lorrie Jean Terpstra Brandenburg, Andrew Richard Terpstra, Donna Lynn Terpstra Doyle, Craig David Terpstra (wife Sheri), and Douglas Brian Terpstra.
David was a proud grandfather to eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Shirley; his son Andrew Richard Terpstra; his sister Henrietta Hilda Terpstra Kommer; brother-in-law Albert Kommer; brother Richard Terpstra; sister-in-law Barbara Riley Terpstra; and son-in-law Robert Doyle.
He leaves behind a loving family, including grandchildren Robert David Barrett, Roxanne Joy Barrett, William Alton Brandenburg, David Nicholas Brandenburg, Brittany Rose Terpstra, Zachary David Terpstra, Natalie Paige Terpstra, Richard David Terpstra, Tara Nicole Terpstra, Brian Patrick Doyle, and Kevin Tyler Doyle; and great-granddaughters Amara Amma Smith Terpstra and Marigold Elizabeth Brandenburg. He is also survived by his nieces and nephew Nancy Kommer, Alice Kommer Alonso, Michael Kommer (wife Judith), Deborah Terpstra, Sharon Terpstra Fisk (husband Jeff), and Patricia Terpstra-Blalock.
A graduate of Clifton High School, Class of 1946, David served his country with honor in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. Following his military service, he began a distinguished 42-year career with New Jersey's telephone companies, starting as a lineman with New Jersey Bell and retiring in 1991 as a managing engineer.
David's commitment to serving others extended far beyond his professional career. An active member of the Preakness Reformed Church of Wayne, he served on the consistory for more than a decade and participated in numerous church ministries, including the Helping Hands group. His dedication to Scouting spanned more than fifty years, during which he mentored and inspired generations of young people, including four members of his own family who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
A craftsman at heart, David found great joy in woodworking. His handcrafted birdhouses and whimsical whirly-gigs became treasured gifts for family and friends. He was known for bringing loved ones together, whether through family gatherings, shared projects, or simple acts of kindness.
David and Shirley also shared a passion for travel, exploring more than fifty countries and many states across America. Along the way, they collected memories, stories, and friendships that enriched their lives and the lives of those around them.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests that memorial donations bemade to Preakness Reformed Church. David's life was marked by faith,generosity, hard work, and devotion to family and community. He will be deeplymissed by all who knew him, and his example will continue to inspire futuregenerations
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A service celebrating David's life will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Preakness Reformed Church, 131 Church Lane, Wayne, New Jersey. Following a brief graveside service with military honors, family and friends are invited to gather in the church hall for food, fellowship, and remembrance.
August 26, 2026
Services
A service celebrating David's life will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Preakness Reformed Church, 131 Church Lane, Wayne, New Jersey. Following a brief graveside service with military honors, family and friends are invited to gather in the church hall for food, fellowship, and remembrance.
David Andrew Terpstra, a cherished patriarch, dedicated community member, and beloved friend, peacefully passed away at his home in Wayne, New Jersey, surrounded by his devoted children.
Born on October 7, 1928, in Passaic, New Jersey, David lived a life rich in love, service, faith, and accomplishment. He was the loving son of Andrew Terpstra and Sophie Hiemstra Terpstra.
David shared 62 wonderful years of marriage with his wife, Shirley May Hackett Terpstra, whom he met at a nursing school dance in East Orange, New Jersey, and married in 1955. Together, they built a family and a life filled with adventure, friendship, and lasting memories until Shirley's passing in June 2017. Their union was blessed with five children: Lorrie Jean Terpstra Brandenburg, Andrew Richard Terpstra, Donna Lynn Terpstra Doyle, Craig David Terpstra (wife Sheri), and Douglas Brian Terpstra.
David was a proud grandfather to eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Shirley; his son Andrew Richard Terpstra; his sister Henrietta Hilda Terpstra Kommer; brother-in-law Albert Kommer; brother Richard Terpstra; sister-in-law Barbara Riley Terpstra; and son-in-law Robert Doyle.
He leaves behind a loving family, including grandchildren Robert David Barrett, Roxanne Joy Barrett, William Alton Brandenburg, David Nicholas Brandenburg, Brittany Rose Terpstra, Zachary David Terpstra, Natalie Paige Terpstra, Richard David Terpstra, Tara Nicole Terpstra, Brian Patrick Doyle, and Kevin Tyler Doyle; and great-granddaughters Amara Amma Smith Terpstra and Marigold Elizabeth Brandenburg. He is also survived by his nieces and nephew Nancy Kommer, Alice Kommer Alonso, Michael Kommer (wife Judith), Deborah Terpstra, Sharon Terpstra Fisk (husband Jeff), and Patricia Terpstra-Blalock.
A graduate of Clifton High School, Class of 1946, David served his country with honor in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. Following his military service, he began a distinguished 42-year career with New Jersey's telephone companies, starting as a lineman with New Jersey Bell and retiring in 1991 as a managing engineer.
David's commitment to serving others extended far beyond his professional career. An active member of the Preakness Reformed Church of Wayne, he served on the consistory for more than a decade and participated in numerous church ministries, including the Helping Hands group. His dedication to Scouting spanned more than fifty years, during which he mentored and inspired generations of young people, including four members of his own family who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
A craftsman at heart, David found great joy in woodworking. His handcrafted birdhouses and whimsical whirly-gigs became treasured gifts for family and friends. He was known for bringing loved ones together, whether through family gatherings, shared projects, or simple acts of kindness.
David and Shirley also shared a passion for travel, exploring more than fifty countries and many states across America. Along the way, they collected memories, stories, and friendships that enriched their lives and the lives of those around them.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests that memorial donations bemade to Preakness Reformed Church. David's life was marked by faith,generosity, hard work, and devotion to family and community. He will be deeplymissed by all who knew him, and his example will continue to inspire futuregenerations
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