Class Year: 1950

William Bogart ’59

William F. Bogart, 90, of Blossburg, went on to meet the master of the universe on March 2, 2023. He was born on March 12, 1932, in Bushkill, Pa. to William S. Bogart and Stella M. Peck. William, a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, educator, and public servant, is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy (Tebo); son,… Continue Reading →

Frederick Brown ’59

Frederick Martin Brown State College – Dr. Frederick Martin Brown, 85, passed away from cancer on April 30, 2023 at Juniper Village in State College, PA. Frederick, born on November 16, 1937, was the son of Luella (Baumgartner) Brown and Alexander Brown (LeBrun). Luella was the daughter of immigrant German-Swiss dairy farmers who immigrated to the American-Swiss colony in New Glarus, Wisconsin… Continue Reading →

Marilyn Kortenhoven ’59 Hanson

Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43 The Heavens rejoice as our beloved Marilyn Jean Hanson had departed to the Paradise of Joy on May 16, 2023. Born on August 12, 1937 in Illinois, Marilyn obtained a teaching degree from Hope College. She was a… Continue Reading →

Eugene Jekel ’52

A painting commissioned by Hope’s Department of Chemistry honors retired professors Dr. Eugene Jekel ’52 of Holland, Michigan, and the late Dr. Elaine Jekel for their impact on chemistry education — and tens of thousands of students — across the country and around the world through a long-running program at Hope for high school teachers.… Continue Reading →

Albert Boers ’51

Albert Jay Boers, age 95, was taken home to heaven on June 27, 2023. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on February 28, 1928, he narrowly missed being a Leap Year baby. If you knew Al, you know he would have had fun with that over the years! Al was a hard worker at dozens of… Continue Reading →

Kathleen Veltman ’51 Parkins

Kathleen Stuart (Veltman) Parkins, age 94, of Loveland, Colorado, the daughter of Dr. John F. and Esther (Jongewaard) Veltman, was born March 19, 1929, in Winterset, Iowa. She died September 18, 2023, at North Shore Health and Rehab Facility in Loveland, Colorado. Kathy attended school in Winterset and a few years in Jefferson, Iowa, before… Continue Reading →

Kenneth Hulst ’52

Kenneth Hulst of Jackson, MI went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at the age of 93. He was the son of John and Frances Hulst, born June 24, 1930 in Holland, MI. Kenneth is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Rachel Hulst; two daughters, Audrey Marriott and… Continue Reading →

Duane Peekstock ’52

Duane G. Peekstok, age 92 of Kalamazoo, went to be with his Lord and Savior on August 5, 2023. He was born on September 17, 1930, in Kalamazoo, the son of Charles and Carrie (Workman) Peekstok. Duane was a 1948 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School and a 1952 graduate of Hope College. He enjoyed playing varsity basketball at both… Continue Reading →

Melvin Voss ’52

Reverend Melvin J. Voss, 93, of Belmond, IA, formerly of Parkersburg, IA, peacefully passed on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at Israel Family Hospice House, Ames, surrounded by his family, following a week-long illness. Funeral arrangements are being completed with the Andrews Funeral Homes, Belmond.  Melvin’s public funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday,… Continue Reading →

Jane Noxon ’53 De Witt

Cary, North Carolina – Jane Noxon DeWitt, 92, of Cary, NC passed away on Friday, October 13, 2023. Jane was born on August 3, 1931 in New York City, the daughter of Paul A. and Mildred S. Noxon. Jane was a 1953 graduate of Hope College in Holland, Michigan. She was the loving wife of… Continue Reading →

Victor Nuovo ’54

Victor Nuovo, Charles A. Dana Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, died on October 5 in Middlebury with his family by his side. He was 91 years old. For many decades, Nuovo’s depth and breadth of class offerings and intellectual research inspired and informed countless students at Middlebury. He was also deeply involved in the welfare of… Continue Reading →

John Santinga ’54

John Timothy Santinga, aged 91, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on October 23, 2023. He was born on September 23, 1932 to Beatrice (Santinga) and Henry Weenink of Kalamazoo, Michigan. John’s mother Beatrice died during childbirth, whereupon John was adopted and raised by his loving grandparents, Timothy and Alice Santinga. John graduated… Continue Reading →

Mina Venema ’55 Cook

Dr. Minad G. Venema Cook, 90, passed away August 2, 2023, after a 15-year battle with long covid. Mina Venema was born May 5, 1933. She grew up on the family farm in Michigan, the youngest of 7. She received her BS in Chemistry from Hope College. June 18, 1955, she married George J. Cook,… Continue Reading →

Dorah Braak ’56

Braak, Dorah Dorah Louise Braak, age 89 of Grand Haven, passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at Riverside Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. She was born on September 27, 1934, in Muskegon, MI to the late Walter and Eloise (Hayford) Evans. Dorah married Ronald Braak on July 13, 1955, in Grand Haven. He preceded her… Continue Reading →

Harold Knoll Jr. ’57

MONTAGUE – Harold Knoll, Jr., 88, was born on December 16, 1934, and died on September 29, 2023. Harold attended Holland Public Schools, Hope College, and Western Michigan University. He was an educator, teaching Special Education classes in Ottawa Area Intermediate Schools, and Elementary Education in Holland Public Schools. He was also a turkey farmer… Continue Reading →

Donna Paris ’58 Boeve

Donna Boeve was born October 10, 1936, and passed away on July 23, 2023, in Rochester, MN, at age 86. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Ken ( Sr.) and Violet Paris, brother Ken ( Jr.), husband Jerry, and son Curtis. Donna was born in Kansas City, MO, and shortly thereafter her family… Continue Reading →

Robert Vander Lugt ’58

Robert (“Bob”) William Vander Lugt, of Ocoee/Winter Garden, Florida, moved home to heaven on Sunday, July 9, at age 87.   Born on January 12, 1936 in Pella, Iowa, he also lived and studied in Pennsylvania and Michigan, before graduating from law school in Indiana.  Married to “the girl across the street”  Ruth Ellen Mokma,… Continue Reading →

Mary Hunter ’58 Walker

Mary Hunter Schmidt Walker (1936-2023) was welcomed into heaven on October 2. She is survived by her husband, Dean Walker, her sister, 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Mary, a Hope College graduate (1958), had a special passion for education. She served 14 years on the Reading School Board, including a term as president; 8 years… Continue Reading →

Norman Arndt ’59

Norman Harold Arndt, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, went to be with his Lord and Savior in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on October 5, 2023. Born on March 3, 1933, in Morley, Michigan, to Carl and Doris Arndt, Norman led a life marked by service, faith, and love for his family. Norman was predeceased… Continue Reading →