Class Year: 1960

Robert Bronk ’60

Robert Bronk, ‘61, of Fuquay-Varina, NC, died August 22, 2017. He was 80. He worked in many capacities throughout secondary and higher education in New York State. He also served in the U.S. Army and received an advanced degree from Syracuse University. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Susan Bronk, children Juli LaDue and… Continue Reading →

Ronald Snyder ’61

Ron Snyder was supposed to be in class on Wednesday morning. He got a call from Western Washington University telling him he had missed the class he was auditing. Sunday night, when sitting with friends at his dinner table, he said, “I love to learn. I like taking classes. I like learning new things.” At… Continue Reading →

Sara Vande Poel ’62 Van Hekken

Sara L. (VandePoel) VanHekken, 77, of Holland, went to be with her Lord on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018. She inspired many as she fought multiple battles with cancer with Dutch determination and graceful resolve. Sara was born Sept. 15, 1940, to Russell and Olive VandePoel in Holland. She graduated from Holland High School and Hope… Continue Reading →

Bruce Roe ’63

Bruce A Roe January 01, 1942 November 09, 2017 Bruce Allan Roe, age 75, of Grantsburg, WI, passed away on Thursday, November 9, 2017 in Saint Paul, MN. Bruce was born on January 1, 1942 in New York, NY, to Sanford and Ann (La Marca) Roe.  An Eagle Scout who never lost a love of the outdoors, Bruce was a 1960 graduate of New Hyde Park… Continue Reading →

Roger Mulder ’64

Roger John Mulder, 75, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017, surrounded by his family at Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids due to complications from a fall. Roger is a graduate of Hope College and Western Seminary. Following retirement, he worked in maintenance at Camp Geneva for 16 years. He had a passion for people and… Continue Reading →

Larry TenPas ’64

Larry Walter TenPas, 75, of Sheboygan, passed away on Monday, August 28, 2017, at Pine Haven Christian Home in Sheboygan FallsLarry was born on April 9, 1942, in Sheboygan, to Edwin and Johanna (Van De Wege) TenPas. He was a graduate of Central High School and continued his education at Hope College. Larry owned and operated… Continue Reading →

Charlene Leong ’66 Axelrod

Dr. Eugene and Mrs. Charlene Axelrod, of Plymouth, Michigan, died May 20 and May 14, 2017, respectively; both of cancer. Dr. Axelrod was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to the late Jack and Bessie Axelrod. In his lifelong pursuit of knowledge he earned degrees in mathematics, chemistry, medicine, and business from the University of Michigan, the University of… Continue Reading →

Thomas Cook ’67

Thomas Michael Cook age 72, of Cascade, Michigan, joined his parents in heaven peacefully Wednesday morning, January 24, 2018 after a nine-month battle with brain cancer. He was a 1963 graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High and received his BA from Hope College in Holland, Michigan in 1967. While at Hope he enjoyed playing sports and was… Continue Reading →

Sharon Pluister ’67 Vaughn

Sharon Anne Vaughn, 74, of Allegan, MI passed away Friday, October 27, 2017 at the Allegan County Medical Care Community.  Born October 25, 1943 in Zeeland, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Neil Pluister and June Applegate.  Ms. Vaughn was a graduate of Zeeland High School and Hope College.  She had worked over 25… Continue Reading →

George Bitner ’60

George Bitner ’60 has retired after 49 years and 88 combined seasons of coaching the Spring Lake High School boys’ and girls’ golf teams. He has been inducted into MIGCA, MSHAA, AHSA, NHSCA and the MAAHF Halls of Fame. Continue Reading →

Carl Vermeulen ’61

Carl Vermeulen ’61 and his students at Paul D. Camp Community College in Virginia presented their peer-reviewed work at the annual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, of the American Society for Microbiology, showing that nodes in all categories of vascular plants are instrumental in inhibiting the upward spread of bacterial diseases. This is a small part of… Continue Reading →

Betty Whitaker ’62 Jackson

Betty Whitaker ’62 Jackson published her 16th book, which like its predecessors, is available on her website. She and her husband, Everett, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. They parented two Hope graduates, Paul Jackson ’02 and Nancy Jackson ’04, both orchestra teachers and members of the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra in Florida. Continue Reading →

Vern L. Sterk ’64

The alumni H-Club at Hope presented its Hope for Humanity Award to Dr. Vern L. Sterk ’64 of Holland, Michigan, during the college’s annual HOPEYs celebration of Hope athletics and senior student-athletes, held on April 18 at the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse. A former cross country runner for the Flying Dutchmen, he is a retired Reformed Church in… Continue Reading →

Allen Hoffman ’65

Allen Hoffman ’65 a recently retired Vail, Colorado, estate and business planning attorney, has relocated to Denver, Colorado, and with his wife, Darlene, has established Transformative Cognitions LLC, a life- and business-coaching company. Continue Reading →

Philip Harmelink ’66

Philip Harmelink ’66 had an article published in The American Organist (the national magazine of the Guild of Organists) titled “Detail and Discipline in Music and Accounting.” The article describes his dual careers as accounting professor (more than 38 years) and chair of the department of accounting (28 years) at the University of New Orleans… Continue Reading →

John Killmaster ’67

John Killmaster ’67 has published a book about his career as an artist, including time spent majoring in art at Hope and doing a number of paintings in the area. He went on to become a college art professor and continues to offer workshops through the country. Continue Reading →

Randall Miller ’67

Randall Miller ’67 co-authored, with Paul Cimbala, The Northern Home Front During the Civil War. He continues as professor of history at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Continue Reading →