Class Year: 1970

Stephen Van Pelt ’71

On June 11, 2020, Steve passed away at St. Helena Hospital, St. Helena, California. He died of long term complications resulting from prior cancer surgeries. Steve was 71 years old and is survived by his wife, Susan Gearey Van Pelt, his sister, Susan F. Van Pelt of Palm Beach, Florida, his mother in law Jeanne… Continue Reading →

William Hill-Alto ’72

William L. Hill-Alto of Roswell, Georgia, passed away peacefully at home on June 25, 2020. Bill was born on Jan. 24, 1950, in Putnam, Connecticut, to Viola (Honkanen) and John Alto. Bill graduated in 1968 from Roy C. Ketcham High School in Wappingers Falls, New York, and in 1972 from Hope College in Holland, Michigan.… Continue Reading →

Lawrence Smith ’74

Dr. Lawrence R. Smith, 68, of West Olive passed away July 9, 2020 at his home. Larry graduated from Wadsworth High School in Ohio. He served his undergraduate at Hope College in Holland, MI before returning to Ohio to attend The Ohio State University Medical School. Larry completed his internship and residency in emergency medicine… Continue Reading →

August “Gus” Lukow Jr ’76

August “Gus” Louis Lukow Jr. died on August 18, 2020, in Frederick, MD, at the age of 66 after an eighteen-month battle with cancer. He leaves behind his wife, Janet Lynne Lukow (nee Lupkes); his daughter and son-in-law, Robyn Anne and Michael John Monaco; and his beloved grandson, Thomas Michael Monaco of Frederick, MD. Gus… Continue Reading →

Charity Priest ’77 Johnson

Charity Louise Johnson, 65, of Grant, formerly of Elkhart and Goshen, Indiana, passed away suddenly on September 11, 2020 at home. She was born on April 26, 1955 to Peter and Janice (Hamilton) Priest in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from North Vigo High School, Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1973 and attended Hope College, Indiana University… Continue Reading →

Michael Ebbers ’73

Michael Ebbers ’73 retired in 2014 after nearly 41 years with IBM, where he worked with large mainframe computers. That career was sparked by taking a FORTRAN statistics course from Dr. Herbert Dershem while at Hope. He resides in the Catskill mountains of New York with his wife, Kathy. He reports that they ski in… Continue Reading →

Mary Jo Coughenour ’78 Baker

Mary Jo Coughenour ’78 Baker has edited and published two volumes (available through Amazon/Kindle) in collaboration with her dad, The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Coughenour, a Hope College professor 1969 to 1975, and 1974 H.O.P.E. award recipient. The first two books, from a series of four, are: In Pursuit of Wisdom: A Memoir, Vol. 1.… Continue Reading →

Robert Niedt ’78

Robert Niedt ’78 and his wife, Linda, have moved to Staunton, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley, where he continues to write and edit for Kiplinger Washington Editors in Washington, D.C. (remotely that is, he reports, also noting that the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains is stunning). Continue Reading →

Marcia Vanden Berg ’78

Marcia Vanden Berg ’78 retired on Jan. 30, 2020, after 27 years at HealthWest in Muskegon, Michigan. She held positions as a case manager, community placement coordinator, clinical supervisor I and II, contract specialist and finally provider network manager. During her time at HealthWest, she also served on the crisis response team for the county… Continue Reading →

Robert Alexander ’70

Robert Alexander, 78, passed away on Monday, November 30, 2020, at his home. He was born In Dearborn, Michigan, on October 17, 1942. He was a Holland resident since 1958 when his family moved from Detroit and was a graduate of both Holland High School and Hope College. So many people in the area knew him… Continue Reading →

Jane Kasmersky ’70 Greller

Jane Kasmersky Greller, affectionately known as “Janeo” by many who knew her, died at her home, the aptly named, “Last Resort”, in Newberg, Oregon, on October 17, 2020. Jane was born to Chester and Mary Kasmersky on December 1, 1948, in Columbus, Ohio. Along with her three sisters and one brother, she was raised as a Buckeye in Franklin County, Ohio… Continue Reading →

David Jipping ’72

David “Doc” Jipping, 71 of Valparaiso, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, after a battle with cancer. He was born April 14, 1949 in Lansing, MI to James and Katherine Jipping. Doc graduated from Hope College and made his career as a Car Salesman at several dealerships in Northwest Indiana, before retiring… Continue Reading →

Ellen TenHoor ’72 Fitch

Ellen Sue ( ten Hoor) Fitch, 70, died suddenly and unexpectedly at her home in Laketown Township on Tuesday, December 22, 2020. Ellen was a mother, grandmother, sister and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Ellen was born February 25, 1950, in Holland, Michigan, to Henry and Beatrice ( Visser) ten Hoor. She graduated from… Continue Reading →

Randall Zomermaand ’72

Randall “Randy” D. Zomermaand, 70, passed away peacefully at home on December 24, 2020 in Tampa, FL with his family by his side. Randy was preceded in death by his loving and faithful parents John and Gertrude Zomermaand, brother-in-law Mark Briggs, and nephew John Garth Zomermaand. Randy is survived by his wife Debbie Zomermaand and three children; Caroline Zomermaand and Jacques and Adam… Continue Reading →

Larry Levey ’73

Larry W. Levey, age 70, of Holland died Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Holland Hospital. Larry attended Hope College and played on the Hope College basketball team. He was one of the founding agents at Woodland Commercial Real Estate in Holland. In 1991 an opportunity was presented to Larry and he moved to Santa Clarita,… Continue Reading →

Jeanette Gaige ’75 Davidson

Jeanette M. Davidson, 68, of Hooksett, died on January 10, 2021, at Elliot Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Schenectady, NY, on July 29, 1953, she was the daughter of the late George E. and Pauline B. (Stevens) Gaige. Jeanette was a graduate of Berne Knox-Westerlo School, earned her BA Hope College in Michigan, and MA… Continue Reading →

Russell Kupfrian ’77

Born in Waldwick NJ, I’m the son of a man of German descent, Laurance Backer Kupfrian, and a first generation Italian woman whose maiden name is Isabella Coletti. I graduated from Waldwick High School in 1971. I decided to follow in my eldest sibling’ footsteps, my sister Laura Constance, and next eldest, Laurance Baker II, and… Continue Reading →

Christine Peacock ’70 Powers

Christine Peacock ’70 Powers of Denver, Colorado, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Christian Living Communities, which was founded in 1972 through the collaboration of the Reformed Church in America and the Christian Reformed Church in the Denver area. The organization owns and manages 22 senior housing communities in Colorado and five… Continue Reading →