Henry Kalfsbeek
Jan 31, 2024
USA Rice extends condolences to the family and friends of Henry Hiram Kalfsbeek who passed away Wednesday, January 24, as the result of a hunting accident.
“Henry had an amazing ability to connect with people,” said fellow California rice farmer Josh Sheppard. “His positive, gracious, caring, and humble persona, along with his tireless work ethic, was admirable. We are all better off for knowing Henry and having him be a part of our lives. He will be missed dearly.”
Henry farmed in the Arbuckle area and was a pest control advisor for Grow West for the past 24 years. He was 49 years old and had been married to his wife, Renee, for nearly 16 years. They have a son, Tyler (13), and a daughter, Blake (10). Henry was a family man; his wife and kids meant everything to him. Their life revolved around activities and vacations for the whole family. They visited national parks, hiked, fished, hunted, and golfed together.
A 2008 graduate of the Rice Leadership Development Program, Henry will be remembered as “a great asset to the rice industry.” Dr. Steve Linscombe, current director of the Leadership Program, got to know Henry well over the last few years and says, “Henry facilitated leadership class trips to California, and was such a nice guy who was so willing to share his knowledge and experience with others.”
Buck Leonards, who farms rice near Crowley, Louisiana, and was in the Leadership Program with Henry, said, “I first met Henry on Day One of our journey through the Rice Leadership Program. He was happy, ambitious, and a dedicated young rice farmer. Right away, even at such a young age, I saw his future as a leader. His unfortunate passing is a great loss to our industry, to his friends, and especially to his beloved family.”
“California and the U.S. rice industry lost an outstanding young man,” said Chuck Wilson, who retired from USA Rice in 2017 and was the director of the Leadership Program when Henry participated. “Henry wanted to contribute to an industry he loved so he applied and was selected to the program which he saw as a way to ‘give back.’ Henry was a great friend and will be greatly missed.”
A Rosary is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, February 5, at McNary-Moore Funeral Chapel, 107 Fifth Street, Colusa, California. A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. on February 6 at the Holy Cross Catholic Church, 408 Laurel Street, Arbuckle, with a private burial immediately following at the Arbuckle Cemetery. A celebration of Henry's life will follow at the Yolo Fliers Golf Course, 17980 Road 94B, Woodland.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Henry Kalfsbeek Family Trust in c/o Umpqua Bank, PO Box 1218, Arbuckle CA 95912; Arbuckle Golf Course, or Arbuckle Fire Department.