September 8, 1968 – March 28, 2017
Beloved husband, father, son, and brother, David J. “Dave” Arps passed away on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, after a year-long battle with brain cancer. He was born on September 8, 1968, in Seattle, WA to Shirley and Barry Arps, Sr. Dave graduated from Bellingham High School in 1987 and earned a degree in Philosophy at WWU. He married his high school sweetheart, Julie Kuiken on November 24, 1995 in Bellingham.
A talented electrician, Dave worked for Bode’s Electric for fourteen years. He also built the family home and was cheerfully on call for family and friends’ projects. Dave was a devoted family man who enjoyed playing sports with his sons, Greg and Ben, listening to Greg perform in his concert and jazz bands, and watching Ben play basketball and baseball. He helped make the yearly Kuiken family trip to Beaton, B.C., fun and memorable. After fitting quads, a dirt bike, and mountain bikes like a puzzle on the trailer, Dave guided his sons and nephew on quad and dirt bike adventures. He also enjoyed annual quad trips with his brothers to the Oregon coast.
Dave was predeceased by his mother-in-law, Dana Kuiken, in February of 2017. He is survived by his wife, Julie Kuiken Arps, sons, Greg and Ben Arps, parents Barry, Sr. and Shirley Arps, sister Cindy (Dan) Craig, brothers Dale Arps (Karen Caemmerer) and Barry Arps Jr. (Crina Hoyer), father-in-law, Dr. Ben Kuiken as well as Julie’s siblings Jill (Rich) Klein, Ben (Cathy) Kuiken and Jani Kuiken (Rick Heilmann) and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. A Service of Remembrance will be held on Monday, April 10 at 2 p.m. at United Church of Ferndale, 2034 Washington St., with a reception following. Rev. Bobbi Virta will be officiating. Memorials may be made to Whatcom Hospice Foundation, 2901 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham, WA 98225. You may share memories with the family at www.westfordfuneralhome.com.
