Obituary
On Sunday, March 27, 2022 Craig Wilbur Dykhuizen, 56 years old, passed away surrounded with love and family. He is survived by Kriste Dykhuizen (wife), George and Sandy Dykhuizen (parents), Leslie Dykhuizen West (sister), Scott Dykhuizen (brother), John West (brother-in-law), and Ryan and Jason West (nephews). Craig also was blessed with a large, extended, tight-knit family with whom he shared many memories, celebrations, and unconditional love. In addition, Craig was a proud fur father to Rayban, Jackson, and Napoleon Dykhuizen.
August 28th,1965, Craig was born to George and Sandy Dykhuizen in Brookline, Massachusetts. From a small child, Craig grew up in several different areas which included Switzerland, Pittsburgh and Chicago; most memorable, however, was Bryan, Ohio. Craig always was of the opinion that he had the best upbringing and credited that to his small town. He often mentioned that he had the best education and that the teachers gifted them with a solid foundation. Craig firmly believed that his early education helped maneuver him through college, and later led to a big part of his success. Furthermore, his mother Sandy often said ‘it was a town that worked together and helped raise everyone’s child.’ Today, his friends that he made during those years are his brothers, and the love and devotion they have for each other is truly inspiring.
After high school, Craig followed in the footsteps of many other Dykhuizen family members and graduated from Purdue University in 1984 with a degree in Business and Marketing. In addition, Craig carried on the tradition of his previous family’s alumni and pledged Kappa Sigma and became President of his chapter during his time at Purdue. Craig loved his years he shared with his fraternity brothers and continued lifelong friendships that he always cherished.
After college, Craig accepted a position at Hoskins Mfg. in Schaumberg, IL and later Brighton, MI. Soon after, Craig saw an opportunity to grow Hoskins internationally. Without knowing a soul, Craig traveled to Asia, learned the culture, and went on to build a strong foundation for a business network that later allowed Hoskins Mfg. to be marketable on the international scope. Craig’s career grew along with Hoskins, and Craig became Vice President of International Sales. Moreover, Craig propelled several other business growths throughout his professional career through similar networking.
From 1999-2003, Craig took a position in Franklin, WI at Nova Industries as Vice President. Craig thoroughly enjoyed his professional life, challenges, and the rewards Nova brought him but his dream of entrepreneurship moved him in a different direction and he formed Pacific Link, an umbrella of several businesses that supply HVAC distributers worldwide.
Craig married Kriste in 2003 in New Orleans. Craig told Kriste to show up with a dress and he would take care of everything. On November 15th, Craig had a horse-drawn carriage pick Kriste up, bring her to Jackson Square for the beautiful ceremony. Afterward, a marching band, a police escort, and a few news stations waited to escort them throughout the city. That was Craig in a nutshell: he is the love of Kriste’s life.
From 2008-2013; Craig returned to Nova Industries to help restructure, and in less than 6 months the business returned to profitability. During his years at Nova Industries, Craig always credited his team and gushed how remarkable they were and made it clear that those days were the best days of his career. He loved the people he worked with and they were truly his work family.
To know Craig and describe him as someone with a ‘big personality’ would be an understatement. When Craig loved, he loved with every fiber of his being and he protected those who were near and dear to his heart. When someone had a problem, Craig became a problem solver. Craig was a leader in every area of his life; it was always ‘All’ it was never ‘Nothing.’
Craig was a huge fan of Purdue, New Orleans Saints, and a fanatic golfer. He also loved live bands, especially the Rolling Stones, which he got to see twice in concert. He loved watching Ron White and could watch him over and over and laugh just as hard as the time before. He loved to cook, learn history, and debate politics. He loved Mustangs and is the proud owner of a 1968 Shelby Mustang, his gift to himself for his 50th birthday. He loved to compete and he loved those who competed. Craig was blessed to have traveled the world, experience many cultures, and make tremendous friendships along the way.
Without a question, Craig’s years were fuller than most and had a personality and life that matched those years. Craig was loved and he will be missed beyond measure by many.
A memorial will be held Saturday April 9th from 1:00-5:00pm at
Colonial Country Club
9181 Independence Way
Fort Myers, FL 33913
A celebration of life will also be held in Indiana at a later time. Date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Junior Achievement USA jausa.ja.org
https://jausa.ja.org/donate/index#qgiv-embed-50562
Tax ID # 84-1267604
He will remain forever within you…. and although he left much sooner than you would like, I know for certain you will cherish and appreciate all the gifts his life brought to this physical world. For you and every person he touched. I love you and I’m so sorry. Rest In Peace, Craig.
So, I thought I would just start from the beginning. Going back to the first time Kriste introduced me to Craig and Rayban.
From that moment, he was like a big brother to me and poor Rayban, put up with all of my hugs and kisses.
Whom I am positive is with him now. Craig always made me feel welcomed. A perfect example, I attended his school reunion with him and Kriste. I recall to this day he had said to his friends t at the reunion how lucky he was to be with Kriste.
I also thought about all the great times we have had over the years, including one night in New Orleans we all were in hopes of seeing a ghost...
Craig did not disappoint when we were not looking, he pulled a tablecloth over his head and haunted our dinner.
That is just the kind of thing he did, he made things happen.
Craig will remain to be, one of my favorite people ever and a great example of a true gentleman. I will miss him greatly. I know in the future when I hear Steely Dan or see Purdue play, I will smile and think of him.
We spent a lot of time together chasing golf balls, acting like teenagers and generally misbehaving as our wives pretended not to notice. We brought out the dope in each other and enjoyed every minute of it!
I watched in amazement as you and Carole would spend hours and even days feverishly debating the most innocuous and meaningless topics to your heart’s content.
I watched as you parked your very expensive Shelby Cobra in my driveway with the top down in the middle of a blinding thunderstorm so you wouldn’t get wet on the way home from the club. We’ll, too late because all3 of us got soaked….you, me and the Shelby.
We had a lot of fun together, Sexy. I will never think of you and not chuckle about some misadventure we created together.
Until we meet again, Rest In Peace, brother!
We love you.
Kristen, Santana, and Selena.
The D'Angelo Family
Our deepest sympathies.
Skip and Melody Schneble
Chad and I were heartbroken when we heard about Craig. Craig was a loyal, faithful friend and was always there to support you if you needed him. We have many great memories of the Purdue games…he was always the life of the party and it made the games extra special when you both could come. You and his family are in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time……..and you, sweet Kriste, are always in our hearts❤️!!
Ed and
We are sad to hear of Craig’s passing. The obit captured him well with his “big personality” mentioned. I will always remember how kind Craig was in including us in golf at Tuckaway and giving some tips to help my putting. You two were the first people we met there. He came up with the name cocktail point and we had a sign made with that. We will always think fondly of Craig when we see it. We always loved seeing the two of you cruise by in the Mustang.
Craig will be missed.
Carolyn Woznicki