Earl Terpstra, a former federal engineer and U.S. Army veteran with ties to Washington, Indiana, will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, one of the nation’s highest honors for military service members. Terpstra was born May 13, 1933, on a farm near Moline, Michigan. He served in Europe with Army Special Troops and was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. After his military service, Terpstra began a career with the Soil Conservation Service. His first assignment was as an engineer on the Prairie Creek Watershed project in Washington, Indiana, where he met his future wife, Judy. The couple married in 1959. Throughout his career, Terpstra held positions in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Washington, D.C. During his 20 years in the nation’s capital, he served as a Congressional Fellow, worked in the Executive Office of the President, and later served as a Program Leader for the western states. After retiring, Earl and Judy returned to southern Indiana, where he enjoyed farming, helping local farmers, and collecting farm tractors and memorabilia. In 2013, he was inducted into the National Farm Toy Hall of Fame. Terpstra is survived by his wife Judy, son Earl “Terp” Terpstra Jr. and daughter-in-law Alicia, along with several siblings and family members. Private services will be held, with burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
