Hendrik Ludger “Henk” Sikkenga, age 60, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on May 7, 2009. His last earthly moments were in his loving wife’s arms.

The son of Heinrich Ludger Sikkenga and Lammerdina Theodora Roeleven, Henk was born on September 22, 1948, in Heerlen, The Netherlands. One of six children, Henk considered himself fortunate to be raised in a home environment that valued music. Some of his earliest recollections included spending many evenings with his family learning to play music on numerous instruments, honing his God-given gift, and filling his position with the family contingency of musicians. He worked for a period of time in a coal mine, leaving home at the age of 15 to begin a most remarkable journey.

Henk enrolled in the Conservatory of Music at the Universiteit of Maastricht in The Netherlands, where, after six and one-half years of stringent musicology, he graduated with a Masters Degree, specializing in classical guitar. From Maastricht, Henk traveled to Spain, where he continued his music studies. During this time he joined the United Service Organization (USO) and spent the next 15 years entertaining troops in Spain and North Africa. Henk met and married Loli Moya Ruiz during this time. They had two beautiful children, Hendrique “Enrique” and Maria Rosa, who continue to live in Spain.

Henk arrived in America in 1978, where his travels eventually brought him to the Pacific Northwest. He worked for two years at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, teaching classical guitar theory and practice.  He also worked at an Alaskan seafood processing company, and as a commercial sign painter. He continued to pursue his passion for music at night in the greater Seattle area with several jazz groups, gaining prominence in the region for his style and showmanship.

Henk moved to the Seven Lakes area of Snohomish County, where he became affiliated with Snohomish County Fire District 20, first as a volunteer and then for three years as a paid firefighter-EMT. He also volunteered hundreds of hours in the emergency room at Everett General Hospital. However, he became interested in opportunities for interaction with the public and the diverse outdoor work connected to parks and began seasonal work with the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Henk also supervised a number of Washington Conservation Corps crews doing construction work throughout the state in its parks. Most notably, he led a crew that reconstructed a log footbridge over Cascade Lake in Moran State Park, Orcas Island. 

He completed training to become a law enforcement-commissioned park ranger at Everett Community College in 1985, and soon thereafter began his career as a park ranger. He held assignments at Flaming Geyser State Park near Auburn, Bayview-Larrabee in Skagit and Whatcom Counties, and Deception Pass, where he managed the Cornet Bay Retreat Center for many years until his passing. Henk often said that his work with park visitors, especially with children or those who needed assistance, gave his life great meaning. 

Henk met Cindy Knight in 1990 and married her on November 27, 1993. The love, laughter and balance that Cindy brought into Henk’s life was unparalleled. They lived together for 15 years in the beauty of Bowman Bay. Henk considered himself very fortunate to have lived in such a picturesque setting.   

Henk is survived by his wife Cindy; beloved son and daughter, Hendrique “Enrique” Sikkenga, (Spain), and Maria Rosa Narvaez, (Spain); beloved stepchildren Brian Knight of Anacortes and Tracy Knight of Seattle; brother, Wiel Sikkenga (Paula) of Margraten, The Netherlands; sister Nettie Van Eysden (Harry) of Heerlen, The Netherlands; sister-in-law, Greetje Sikkenga-Morsheim, of Herleen The Netherlands; numerous beloved nieces and nephews; and innumerable friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Leo and Wouter, and sister Kitty.

In keeping with Henk’s spirit of public service and his love for people, he generously donated his body to medical research. Memorial services are scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Bethany Covenant Church, 1318 S. 18th St., Mount Vernon, where his life’s work in public service and the field of music will be honored. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials in Henk’s name be offered to the Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center, 307 S. 13th St., Suite 100, Mount Vernon, WA 98274, 360-428-2146, a place where Henk was blessed with empathy and kindness by all who cared for him.