Peter Huizenga ’60
Peter Huizenga ’60, age 79, of Oak Brook, Illinois, died on Wednesday, May 2, and was received into glory by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
He was the loving husband of his cherished wife, Heidi of 50 years.
Peter loved his children; Betsy (Dave) Bradley, Greta Huizenga, Peter Jr. (Abby) Huizenga, and Tim Huizenga. His 10 grandchildren include Elizabeth, Matthew, William and Michael Bradley; Soleil and Noah Huizenga Giesen, and Hally, Hope, Peter III “ Tripp” and Hannah Huizenga. Peter also had four siblings: Sue Kanis, Virginia “Ginger” Jurries, John Charles “J.C.”
Huizenga, and the late Elizabeth “B. J.” Buntrock. Peter Huizenga was born in a Dutch community outside Chicago in 1939, to a family of garbage haulers. As a child during summers he worked on a garbage truck from 2 a.m. until noon each day. It’s this background where he learned the value of hard work and the power of friendship, faith and determination.
After graduating from Hope College, he was a Captain in the U.S.
Army Reserve and then attended the University of Illinois Law School.
Huizenga practiced law at the firm of Hlustik, Huizenga, Williams and VanderWoude. In 1968, Peter joined his family’s garbage business, which evolved into Waste Management Inc. and became a Fortune 500 company.
At Waste Management he served as a director for 30 years, held various officer roles and helped take the company public in 1972. Waste Management was the largest waste disposal company in the world. Peter was an early investor in Blockbuster Video and many other businesses. He was very active with Big Shoulders Fund, Timothy Christian Schools, Christ Church of Oak Brook, Trinity Christian College, Elim Christian Services, Hope College, Boy Scouts of America, and many other organizations.
Of his father, PJ Huizenga said: “I am incredibly fortunate to have had a mentor, friend and father all in the same man. He loved his family, faith and making a difference in people’s lives through philanthropy and business pursuits.”
Visitation will be held at Christ Church of Oak Brook, 501 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook, IL 60523 on Monday, May 7, from 3-8 p.m. with a Memorial Service at Christ Church of Oak Brook at 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 8.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift would be greatly appreciated to Timothy Christian School, in Elmhurst, IL timothychristian.com/ donat