Kenneth Van Haitsma

Kenneth Van Haitsma, 76, passed away Saturday, February 16, 2008, at home in Fallbrook, CA. He was born September 30, 1931, in Zeeland, MI.

Mr. Van Haitsma earned a MA at Western Michigan.

Moving to California in 1961, he taught elementary school in the Fallbrook school district before moving out of the area. He and his wife returned to Fallbrook in 1987.

In his “retirement,” Mr. Van Haitsma commissioned from local artist Tom Mitchell numerous painted wood sculptures, which he placed in school libraries throughout the area for children to enjoy.

Teachers often used these sculptures as learning...