Dick Zylstra, the founder of West Covina Wholesale Nursery and a man who turned his passion for nature into a lifelong legacy, passed away peacefully on Feb. 28, 2026.

Dick lived a life marked by adventure, resilience and a deep love for his family.

Born on June 22, 1926 in Hoogeveen, The Netherlands, to Catharinus and Dien Zijlstra, Dick’s adventurous spirit was sparked early.

At just three years old, his family moved to Indonesia. His childhood there was interrupted by the hardships of World War II, during which he was interned for three years.

Following the war, Dick returned to Holland in 1946 to pursue his education at the Agricultural University in Wageningen, earning his master’s degree in agronomy. While there, Dick spent two years as a rower on the university’s competitive eight-man shell.

While he initially intended to return to Indonesia, shifting political tides led him toward a new horizon in the United States.

In 1954, Dick married the love of his life Ann, whom he had met during their university days. Together, they emigrated to the U.S., briefly settling in Mount Vernon, Washington.

Seeking a warmer climate, they moved to Southern California. There, Dick honed his skills at Monrovia Nursery before he and Ann took the courageous step of starting their own business, which began with making cuttings at the kitchen table every evening.

In 1968, their venture grew into West Covina Wholesale Nursery, which today stands as a successful generational family business with growing yards spanning multiple California counties.

Dick often remarked, “I am so lucky; I made a business out of my hobby.” His work was never a chore, but a genuine calling.

In 1981, Dick and Ann moved to Santa Barbara to expand the business and enjoy the coastal beauty he often described as “as close to Heaven as you can get.”

As his three children took over the nursery, Dick found more time for travel and leisure.

Though he joked that golf was never his priority, he and Ann spent many Sunday afternoons at La Cumbre Country Club. To Dick, those nine-hole rounds weren’t about the score; they were simply “a walk in the park” with the person he loved most.

Dick will be remembered as a man who loved the Lord, was devoted to his family, had the physical strength of an ox, and who appreciated the beauty all around him.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 71 years, Ann; children Dave (Maxine), Diane (Dan), Doug (Patty); 12 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Dick’s Life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 14 at the Valle Verde Theater. Reception to follow.