Class Year: 1970

Linda Plunkett ’75

Linda Plunkett ’75 published a book, Supernatural Rescue, which chronicles true life interventions by God, including a supernatural rescue after a seven-hour brain surgery. Since Linda is a psychologist, in the second part of the book she gives hope for people going through similar devastating experiences. Continue Reading →

James Buter ’71

Jim Buter, age 69, of Holland, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on February 10, 2019. Jim is a Hope College graduate and he also took graduate classes at MSU. He made his career in the Contract Office Furniture Industry with Steelcase, Westinghouse, Herman Miller and Knoll. During this time he served as… Continue Reading →

Donald Viel ’71

Donald J. Viel, 69, of DeWitt, Iowa, died early Monday morning, January 28, 2019, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf. Don was born October 15, 1949, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Harold J. and Adrianna E. (DenBoer) Viel.  He graduated from Kalamazoo Christian Schools and attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan.  On September 1, 1973, he married… Continue Reading →

Pat VanderBie ’72 Lampen

Pat Lampen, age 68, of Zeeland, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Saturday, December 8, 2018, after a 3-month battle with brain cancer. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Larry; her children and grandchildren: Mike Lampen (Riley and Cody), Chip Lampen (Jager, Trent, Kenedy and Taylor), Julie and Zac… Continue Reading →

David Jensen ’74

David Albert Jensen, 67, of Pensacola, Florida, peacefully passed away Friday, December 7, 2018, at his home. David was born October 5, 1951, in Hackensack, NJ, to John & Bette (Memmott) Jensen. He graduated from Glen Rock High School in 1969, from Hope College in 1974 and received his MSW from Columbia University in 1987.… Continue Reading →

Patricia Kiser ’75 Popenoe

Patricia Ann Popenoe died peacefully at home on January 11, 2019, surrounded by family and friends. She was born Patricia Ann Kiser in Baltimore, Maryland. Her parents were Chester and Mary Ruth Kiser. Pat was the youngest of three children. She spent her grade school years in Baltimore. During middle school, they moved to Palo… Continue Reading →

Stephen Bergmann ’76

Stephen P Bergmann, 64, formerly of Croghan and most recently of Prescott, AZ, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 20, 2018. He was born on Aug. 3, 1954, in Canton, NY, the son of Bernard and Lena Bergmann. He graduated from Beaver River Central School in 1972 and from Hope College, MI, in 1976, with a… Continue Reading →

Heather Jacob ’88 Schaap

Heather J. Schaap died on October 29, 2018 of glioblastoma. Heather was born on June 8, 1966, in Holland, Michigan to Barbara C. and George F. Jacob. She was a graduate of Grandville High School (’84) and Hope College (’88). She is survived by her husband, Todd Schaap; children, Zoey, Emma, Eli, and Zachary; her… Continue Reading →

Jon Constant ’72

Jon Constant ’72 published a second edition of his 2018 book, Leelanau by Kayak. It includes new material and over 20 new photos from kayaking Leelanau’s 100-mile Great Lake shoreline, as well as 23 of its beautiful inland lakes and three of its rivers. Continue Reading →

James De Boer ’72

James De Boer ’72 retired after decades of practicing family medicine in Danville, Illinois, and moved with Joyce, his wife of 41 years, to Washougal, Washington, to be nearer to their children. He is also an artist/printmaker and is active in the Portland, Oregon, arts scene. Continue Reading →

Michael Ebbers ’73

Michael Ebbers ’73 and Kathy Ebbers are piloting their 33-foot cruiser boat on a 6,000-mile journey known as the Great Loop. This route circumnavigates the eastern third of the United States. They began in Norfolk, Virginia, went north through New York, west through Canada, then south past Chicago, Illinois, down inland rivers to Mobile, Alabama.… Continue Reading →

Mark Brown ’77

Mark Brown ’77 has been inducted into the Bakken Society of Medtronic, Inc., in recognition of his multiple technical contributions to the company and to the biomedical-device industry. Since the Bekken Society was established in 1979, only 147 have been inducted. He has been with Medtronic since 1994. He’s now leading Medtronic efforts to collect data and… Continue Reading →

Jill Nihart ’79 Van Zyl

Jill Nihart ’79 Van Zyl was inducted into the Lakewood Hall of Fame for 2019. This award recognizes former students and staff members who have made an exceptional contribution to society, achieved exceptional success, brought honor and prestige to Lakewood Public Schools, and have exhibited such qualities of character and action as to be outstanding role… Continue Reading →

Prudence Tower ’70 Leveillee

Prudence “Prudy” Bower Tower Leveillee was born in Greenville Michigan on September 10, 1948 to Susan F. Bower and Ray J. Tower II. She was the stepdaughter of Mary G Tower. Prudy graduated from Greenville High School in 1966 and earned a BFA in Music from Hope College in 1970. She taught Elementary Music in Fort Wayne,… Continue Reading →

Reed Brown ’71

Former WHTC news director Reed Brown, a 1971 Hope College graduate, has died in San Francisco, where he’d been retired for some time. He was 69, according to a note emailed to WHTC from his brother, Gary Brown. In a 2011 note to Hope College’s alumni magazine, Reed Brown reported enjoying retirement and that he… Continue Reading →

Eric De Witt ’71

Eric De Witt, 75, of Overisel, passed away May 9, 2019. Eric was born in Wyandotte, Michigan, on November 25, 1943, to Melvin and Margaret De Witt. He graduated from Fremont High School and from Hope College with a degree in biology as well as a math and chemistry degree. He married Linda Kaye Westfield… Continue Reading →

Leslye Herchenroder ’72 Stone

Leslye Stone, 69, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, with her family by her side, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Leslye was born on January 27, 1950, in Albany and was raised in Guilderland Center. She was the daughter of Shirley Herchenroder and the late Russell Herchenroder. She is survived by… Continue Reading →

David Van Pernis ’74

David Van Pernis, 66 of Rockford, Illinois, died peacefully in Mercy Hospital on Monday, March 10th. Born June 2, 1952, David attended Jackson School and Lincoln Middle School. He enjoyed athletics in high school participating on both football and swim teams before graduating from Guilford in 1970. He attended Hope college earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree.… Continue Reading →

Deb Cleason ’78 Oegema

OEGEMA, Mrs. Debra L. of Lawton, MI, died Sunday evening January 20, 2019 at age 62. Debra was born May 3, 1956 in Holland, Michigan a daughter of Donald and Esther (Lorenz) Cleason. She had been a Kalamazoo area resident for over 40 years. Debra taught elementary music with the Lawton Community Schools for 14 years,… Continue Reading →