Class Year: 1960

Nancy Rypma ’64 Van Dam

Nancy J. Van Dam, age 77, of Grand Haven passed away November 9, 2019, at Mercy Hospital. She was born in Holland on January 7, 1942, to the late Donald and Julia (Seif) Rypma. Nancy married James A. Van Dam on January 25, 1963, in Holland and shortly thereafter they moved to Grand Haven. She… Continue Reading →

Linda Bramwell ’65 Brooks

Linda Brooks, 76, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2020.  Linda was a well-known and respected business owner and beloved in the local communities. She is preceded in death by her husband Louie Brooks and survived by her daughter Maria Miller, son-in-law Kevin Miller and 3 grandchildren.  Linda was an integral part of Saugatuck, having… Continue Reading →

Michael McNeal ’65

Michael “Mike” Herrington McNeal passed at the Syracuse Veterans Medical Center on July 9, 2019. He was 77 years old. Mike was born on June 3, 1942 in Schenectady, NY to his parents, Harold and Viola McNeal. He graduated from Hope College and married Marie Wigfield in 1965. After serving in the Army, Mike owned… Continue Reading →

Rodney Broman ’66

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, Rodney Lee Broman, Ph.D., 75, of Grand Rapids, passed away Friday, January 24, 2020. He grew up in Spring Lake, MI and attended and graduated from St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield, WI where he was awarded medals of honor as a Cadet Captain. He went… Continue Reading →

Jeanne Ann Frissel ’66

Jeanne Ann Frissel ’66 of Hudsonville, Michigan, died on Thursday, May 2, 2019. She was 74. Survivors include her daughter, Keely Van Til ’95; and sister, Paula Frissel ’70 (Lawrence ’69) Bone. Continue Reading →

Laura Manasek ’67 Cain

Laura Cain of Venice, Florida, formerly of Plano, Texas, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2019 at her Venice Florida home. She was blessed to be surrounded by her family during the last weeks of her journey. Born August 12, 1945, daughter of Lillian and Rudolph Manasek, Laura was raised on the east side of… Continue Reading →

Marilynn Hoffman ’67

Marilynn Hoffman, age 74, of Sylvania, passed away on September 27, 2019. She was born on April 21, 1945 to Herman and Edna Hoffman in Muskegon, MI. Marilynn attended Hope College and the University of Toledo where she received her master’s degree. She was a teacher for the Sylvania School System, retiring after 35 dedicated years. Marilynn… Continue Reading →

Blanchard De Merchant ’68

Dr. Blanchard L. De Merchant of St. Charles, Missouri passed away Thursday, April 4, 2019 at the age of 76.  Husband of 51 years to Phillis K. De Merchant (who preceded him in death), son of the late Roy and Mereda; father of Sonya De Merchant and Nicole (Ramiro Pacheco) De Merchant; cherished grandfather of Nicolas Rivera; brother… Continue Reading →

John “Jack” Waterman ’68

John “Jack” Waterman, age 74, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, formerly of Chicago and Boston, passed away Friday, August 23, 2019 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital after an extended illness. Jack was born on May 30, 1945 to the late Harold and Myra (Cleaveland) Waterman in Mobile, Alabama. Survived by his children Sarah (John) Henseler, Kathy (Sean)… Continue Reading →

Mary Lammers ’60 Kempker

Hope Appoints New Alumni Board Members and Officers During its May meeting, the Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors appointed four new members and elected two new officers. The board’s new members are: Toni Gordon ’09 of Perrysburg, Ohio; Mary Lammers ’60 Kempker of Zeeland, Michigan; Dr. Kiersten Krause ’97 of Holland, Michigan; and… Continue Reading →

Tim Tam ’69

Tim Tam ’69 was elected secretary and treasurer of the British Columbia Dental Association. He practices pediatric dentistry and orthodontics with two of his sons in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Continue Reading →

Carol Sikkenga ’60 Garthwaite

Carol Ann Garthwaite of Kalamazoo, Michigan, age 81, passed away Tuesday morning, March 3, 2020, following a lengthy illness. Carol was born in Muskegon, Michigan, on April 1, 1938, the daughter of Carl E. and Pauline Sikkenga. Carol was very well-known as an accomplished artist and had a true talent for painting. She had an… Continue Reading →

Gary Baas ’61

Gary L. Baas, age 81, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2020, in Grand Haven, Michigan. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on June 27, 1938, to the late Edward M. and Margaret (Dornbos) Baas. Gary and his wife, Paula, have resided in Grand Haven for over 50 years. After moving to Grand Haven… Continue Reading →

Ralph Cook ’61

Ralph Richard Cook, MD, MPHOf Dexter, formerly of Detroit, Midland, Ann Arbor, Trout Lake, age 81, died peacefully at home of natural causes on June 8, 2020. He was born Feb. 21, 1939 in Detroit, the son of George R. & Florence Irene (Armstrong) Cook. Ralph graduated from Hope College and Wayne State University Medical School. He… Continue Reading →

Karen Abell ’61 Marlin

On April 10, 2020, Karen Elizabeth Abell Marlin passed away and became an angel to her children and grandchildren.Karen was a friend to everyone she met. People would always remark about her pretty, sparkling eyes and her smile. She had the gift of being able to connect with everyone. In her first year of high… Continue Reading →

John Teusink ’62

Teusink, John Tillman, Age 79 of Cedar Springs, passed away Saturday, February 29, 2020 at his home and leaped into the arms of his Lord and Saviour.  John was born May 3, 1940 in Grand Rapids, MI the son of Dr. J. Harvey and Dorothy (Bower) Teusink. John graduated from Cedar Springs High School in… Continue Reading →

Ralph Houston ’63

Rev. Ralph S. Houston, age 78, of Holland died Saturday, May 2, 2020 at his home. Ralph was a faithful servant of Jesus serving in the ministry for 53 years. He pastored at the Doster Reformed Church in Michigan, the Forreston Reformed Church in Illinois and the Fennville Immanuel Reformed Church for 27 years. Ralph… Continue Reading →

John Jenner ’63

The Rev. John Herbert Jenner, ‘Jack’ to so many, was called home on Monday, June 1, 2020,” his family wrote in a tribute. He was 78. He was born in Gloversville, New York on Dec. 9, 1941 to Richard and Dorothy Jenner. His mother was the long-time school nurse at Guilderland High School, starting in… Continue Reading →

Barbara Kemme ’63

Barbara Kemme, age 78, of Coopersville, formerly of Zeeland and Hamilton, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Barbara taught Jr. High Science at Hamilton Schools for many years and traveled the world during the summers. She was a member of Faith Reformed Church in Zeeland. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and… Continue Reading →

Linda Lindblade ’65 Hendricks

Linda Hendricks, age 76, a resident of Carol Stream, IL, passed away on March 31, 2020 at Central DuPage Hospital due to complications from a major surgery. She was born on July 17, 1943 in Davenport, IA to Lester Lindblade and Merle Meyers. Linda grew up in Moline, IL and attended Augustana College and Hope College.… Continue Reading →