Class Year: 1970

David Daubenspeck ’74

David Daubenspeck ’74 retired as a financial advisor with California Credit Union in June 2020. He then turned his attention to researching and writing his first book, The Shocking Disconnect: Why Christians Fail to Impact Culture and Politics and How to Make a Comeback. The book was published in November, 2021. A corollary small group… Continue Reading →

Addy Whitehouse ’75

Addy Whitehouse ’75 has published her debut novel, Signs of Murder: A Dana Demeter Mystery, under the pen name A. F. Whitehouse. She has retired after 40 years as an American Sign Language interpreter and lives in Waukesha, Wisconsin, with Bob Carty, her husband of 30 years. Continue Reading →

Dirk Bloemendaal ’76

Dirk Bloemendaal ’76 has wrapped up a 38-year career as a public policy advocate for Amway Corporation, representing the company and its independent distributors on the state and local public policy levels. He worked in Amway’s government affairs department, part of the company’s legal division, in nearly all the state capitols (his favorites were Sacramento,… Continue Reading →

Jack DeRuiter ’76

Jack DeRuiter ’76 received the Alumni Professorship Award from Auburn University. The awards are presented on the basis of research, publishing and teaching. Continue Reading →

Kathy Button ’79 Beauregard

Kathy Button ’79 Beauregard has retired after 42 years with Western Michigan University. She was the longest-serving athletic director at the same institution and just one of nine female athletic directors among 130 Football Bowl Subdivision schools across the nation. Continue Reading →

George Baxter ’70

George William Baxter, IV George (Bud) was born on June 6, 1948, and passed away peacefully on October 16, 2021 at his home in Saginaw, Michigan of kidney failure, at the age of 73. Bud’s interest in science led him to study Chemistry at Hope College, where he achieved his bachelor’s degree in 1970. Following college, he… Continue Reading →

Matthew Mescher ’70

Matthew F. Mescher, an icon of Immunology at the University of Minnesota, died on December 21, 2021, of cancer. Matt was born on March 22, 1948, in South Haven, MI to George and Dixie Mescher. He earned a B.A. in chemistry from Hope College in Holland, MI and a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from Harvard… Continue Reading →

Joyce Medema ’70 Stancill

Joyce Ann Stancill passed away on Dec. 3, 2021. She was 74. She will be missed by her three sons Stephen (Denise) Stancill of Holland, Jeremy Stancill of North Las Vegas, Nevada, and Matthew (Lori) Stancill of North Las Vegas; and brother Herm (Shirley) Medema of Grandville. Joyce also has two grandchildren Hayden and Olivia Stancill. Joyce was born and raised in Holland. She… Continue Reading →

Daniel Bird ’72

Dr. Daniel F. Bird, 77, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away February 19, 2021.  Although born in Alameda, California, he and his late parents, George and Frances Bird, made Greenville, Michigan, their home. Daniel graduated from Belding High School and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Hope College, a Master’s degree in education and a… Continue Reading →

Lorraine Price ’72

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/santa-fe-school-board-member-price–dies-at-72/article_985deba6-02af-11ec-ad22-23e30cffcf9d.html When Lorraine Price hammered down the gavel as president of the Santa Fe school board, you knew it was time to end the discussion. Whether she was serving as president or in some other capacity on the board, Price adopted a no-nonsense, let’s-get-to-the-point attitude that stressed efficiency in getting the job done. “She didn’t suffer bull crap –… Continue Reading →

Noranne Yeager ’72

Hope College received written notification of Noranne’s passing on October 10, 2021, in Kalispell, Montana. Survivors include Phyllis Yeager ’63 Hoekman 9031 95 Street NW In-Law Basement Apartment Suite Edmonton, AB  T6C 3W7 Charyle Yeager ’66 Chiles (and Charles Chiles) 1297 Horizon Ridge El Cajon, CA  92020-7786 Continue Reading →

George Johnson ’73

Dr. George Metcalfe Johnson, 70, passed away peacefully Jan. 6, 2022, at his home in Peoria, Illinois, with his loving wife, Colleen Otto Johnson, at his side. George was a pediatric infectious disease specialist who cared deeply for his patients. He was shown that same love and care by his wife Colleen, her son David, and David’s… Continue Reading →

Martha Farley ’77

Martha Farley of Huntington Beach, California died in November 2021.  Survivors include her siblings, Richard Farley ’83 (Christine) and Ann Farley ’85. Continue Reading →

Gaye Rudis ’78 Rollins

Rollins, Gaye age 65, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2021 with family at her side. She was born in Muskegon on July 20, 1956 to Richard (Dick) and Joanne Rudis. She graduated from Muskegon High School, and Hope College with a Bachelor in Music Education. She taught at White Lake Christian School for 7… Continue Reading →

Donald Steele ’72

Donald Steele ’72 had his play Mother’s Day produced by the theatre department at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 24, 26 and 27, 2022. It was available online as well Continue Reading →

Gerry Swieringa ’72

Gerry Swieringa ’72 will be retiring as rector of St. Brendan’s Anglican Church in November. He reports that he and his wife, Peg Francis ’73 Swieringa, have no concrete plans beyond that point, but look forward eagerly to the spaciousness of life. Continue Reading →

David Cluley ’75

David Cluley ’75 was appointed to the board of directors of the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance. The NLEA works to facilitate economic development in Michigan’s Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet counties Continue Reading →

Al Fedak ’75 and Susan Hermance ’75 Fedak

Al Fedak ’75 and his wife, Susan Hermance ’75 Fedak, were featured in The Daily Gazette of Schenectady, New York, on Tuesday, Feb. 8: 50- Plus Living: Sue and Al Fedak – Lives filled with music. Al has more than 300 choral and organ works in print; more than 100 of his hymn tunes appear… Continue Reading →