Class Year: 1960

Jan Nienhuis ’63

Mr. Jan Wesley Nienhuis, 78, of Zeeland, passed away Sunday, September 15, 2019, at his home. Jan was born July 26, 1941, in Holland, to Leon G. and Leona (Veldheer) Nienhuis. Leon shipped out to war in February of 1944, to the European Theater and was killed in action on March 15, 1944. Jan was… Continue Reading →

David Renkes ’66

David V. Renkes, 75, of Rock Island, IL, died Saturday, June 29, 2019, at Generations At Rock Island. Per his wishes, cremation rites were accorded.  No services are planned at this time. David was born in Clinton, IA, on August 16, 1943, to Vernon and Jeanette (Dykemma) Renkes. He married Linda L. Chicarelli, who survives. … Continue Reading →

Lewis Vander Naald ’68

Reverend Lewis James Vander Naald (Lew) passed away under hospice care in his home on June 12, 2019, just shy of his 74th birthday and what would have been his 39th Father’s Day. After an unforgiving experience with Parkinson’s Disease, his body surrendered quickly and peacefully, thanks to the loving energy of family near and… Continue Reading →

Anne Wiegerink ’60 Anderson

Anne Wiegerink ’60 Anderson published her second book, Lessons from Charley, a memoir depicting 50-plus years of marriage. It’s the universal story of love, marriage and the human experience. Her first book, My Griefcase, was published in 2017. Continue Reading →

Gail Friesema ’61 Farnham

Gail Friesema ’61 Farnham has been a member of the National Response Team of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance since 2007 and organized and participated in two work trips to New Bern, North Carolina, for the First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca after Hurricane Florence struck the area Continue Reading →

Carl Vermeulen ’61

Carl Vermeulen ’61 and his students reported at the Virginia Branch of the American Society for Microbiology on Friday, Nov. 08, that a variety of anesthetics can “put to sleep” not only sap flow in plants but also photosynthesis. Continue Reading →

Stanley Hagemeyer ’62

Stanley Hagemeyer ’62 published Courage to Care – You Can Help Others Who Are Suffering, designed to equip readers with skills and confidence to help anyone who is in a situation of pain or suffering. The book is designed to serve both as a training resource for volunteer care teams and also for personal use.… Continue Reading →

Don Mitchell ’63

Don Mitchell ’63 of Ada, Michigan, received the Fraternal Society’s first “Lifetime Achievement Award” during the society’s 185th Anniversary Celebration in October 2019. The award was bestowed in sincere appreciation for his dedicated service to and support of the Fraternal Active Chapter and the Fraternal Alumni Association over the past four decades. The presentation was… Continue Reading →

Robert Dahl ’66

Robert Dahl ’66 and Rachel Dahl ’95 published their third book, Comedy and Tragedy and what’s in between. The book features Rachel’s formatting and several of her original watercolors. In addition, there are many photos of Chris McKinley-Dahl’s mixed-media sculptures. The cover features one of Chris’ award-winning sculptures. The visual art interprets and complements the… Continue Reading →

Philip Harmelink ’66

Philip Harmelink ’66 was recognized for his 40 years of service as organist at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Metairie, Louisiana, with a reception on Sunday, Dec. 8. He’s in his 30th year as chair of the department of accounting at the University of New Orleans, where he is the Ernst & Young Professor… Continue Reading →

Thelma (Tommye) Leenhouts ’66

An organ concert at historic St. John’s Episcopal Church on Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C., provided an unexpected opportunity for Thelma (Tommye) Leenhouts ’66, who lives in the city, and David Heinze ’17 of Providence, Rhode Island, to recall a unique Hope music connection. Alerted by the college that a Hope graduate would be featured,… Continue Reading →

Sid Disbrow ’68

Sid Disbrow ’68 received a second-place award in the People’s Choice category for his painting, Martini Blues in the Night at Art Walk – Grand Haven. This is the third year he has participated in the art walk. Continue Reading →

Tom Roberts ’69

Tom Roberts ’69 reports that after a 48-year career in inpatient psychiatry he has become an Indiana director of Therapy Dogs International. With his four certified therapy dogs, he makes daily visits to medical and psychiatric hospitals. He recently successfully lobbied the Indiana legislature for sex-crimes victims’ rights and has developed a court dog program.… Continue Reading →

Edna Wagner ’60 Kelly

Edna Mae Kelly, 83, went home to glory on Sunday, October 13, 2019. Edna was born in Waldwick, NJ, the daughter of the late Ada and Alfred Philip Wagner. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Hope College, where she met her husband, Richard Kelly, who passed away July 29 of this year. Edna worked as a… Continue Reading →

Albert Timmer II ’62

Albert Timmer II ’62 of Beaver Valley, Ontario, Canada, died on Thursday, July 19, 2019. He was 82. Survivors include his nieces, Janet (Phil) Seaman-Mc Donald ’77 and Julia (Daniel) Drier ’75. He was formerly of Beaver Valley, Ontario.  Al was previously a psychologist in the mental health area.  Later, he ran a successful Apple… Continue Reading →

Vincent Kleyla III ’63

Vincent Robert Kleyla III born May,16 1941 passed away peacefully on February 6, 2020. He was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2017 but rose to the challenge, keeping as active and engaged as was possible every step of the way. He wanted to make a difference and participated in a Lewy Body biomarkers study… Continue Reading →

Gilmer Peterson ’63

Gilmer M. Peterson was born in Grand Haven Michigan March 7, 1941. He was an Alumni of Hope College, B.A. Degree, and Michigan State University Grad School, M.F.A. Degree & received the Herman Miller Award for sculpture in 1965. His Sculpture was shown in local galleries as well as the Crocker Kingsley 1988. Gil passed away May… Continue Reading →

Lois Breederland ’64 Skibins

Lois Breederland ’64 Skibins of Warren, Michigan, died on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. She was 79. Survivors include her sons, Steven and Andrew; and siblings, Marian McTavish, Raymond Breederland and Arthur Breederland. Preceded in death by her brother Henry Breederland. Continue Reading →