Robert Bloothoofd

Robert Bloothoofd, age 65, of Clayton, DE, passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 17, 2013.
Robert was born in the city of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, on April 17, 1948, and was a son of the late Judocus Bloothoofd and Johanna Kraan Bloothoofd. He became a naturalized citizen in December of 1967. After graduating from Wilmington High School, he proudly served his country in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. Robert was an exceptional athlete, and played for the Delaware Wings, where he earned the nickname of Robert the Wild Man Bloothoofd. He was very proud of the time he spent playing soccer for the team. Following his honorable discharge from the military, he worked for various A & P stores for many years. Robert was an excellent woodworker, and his love of the craft led him to a career as an independent contractor, working throughout the Wilmington area. For the past 30 years, he worked as a bowling alley mechanic at the First State Lanes in Edgemoor – a job he dearly loved.
An avid sports fan, Robert enjoyed cheering on his favorite teams, especially the Flyers. He was a champion chess player, who never turned down a match. Above all else, he was a devoted father and grandfather, who adored spending time with his children and granddaughter.
He is survived by his children, Stefanie Desiderio and husband, Thomas of Clayton, Joseph Bloothoofd and fiancée, Courtney Ward of Bear, and Robert McAllister of Texas; brothers, William Bill Bloothoofd and Martin Bloothoofd; and granddaughter, Lauren.
A funeral service will be held at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, November 26, 2013, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where friends may call from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm. Interment will follow in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.