Class Year: 1980

Peter Dykema ’84

Peter Dykema ’84, who is a professor of history at Arkansas Tech University, is also the co-director of Arkansas Governor’s School, a month-long academic summer camp for rising high-school seniors funded by the Arkansas Department of Education. Each summer, 380 students attend AGS and focus on one of nine academic disciplines, along with sessions on… Continue Reading →

Kathy Hartger ’80

Kathy Lynn Hartger, age 65 of Montague, passed away on Tuesday morning, October 3, 2023 at the Newaygo County Compassion Home in Fremont. She was born on November 4, 1957 in Fremont, Michigan to Willis “Bill” & Thelma (VanKorlaar) Hartger. Kathy graduated from Hope College in 1980, and she was a school teacher in Muskegon… Continue Reading →

Timothy Tietz ’83

Timothy R. Tietz of Brick, NJ, passed away suddenly on Saturday, July 8, with his loving wife Karen by his side. Tim was 62 years old. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Tim lived throughout the Midwest before his parents settled in East Kentwood, Michigan. He graduated from East Kentwood High School in Michigan in 1979, and… Continue Reading →

Gerald Van Baren ’85

Gerald attended Covenant Christian High School, Hope College, University of Michigan, and Michigan State University. Gerald worked at Lear Siegler/Smiths Industries/GE Aerospace, CRI, and Vibration Research Continue Reading →

Kim McBee ’87 Foster

With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Kim McBee Foster of Overland Park, Kansas, who passed away on October 28, 2023 at the age of 57. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. She was predeceased by : her father Larry Gray… Continue Reading →

Diane Barr ’80 Brace

Diane Barr ’80 Brace relocated to Florida and reports that she stays busy singing in community women’s chorus and church choir and volunteering in many church ministries. She reports that she enjoys traveling, caring for her three dogs, gardening, reading, crafting and spending time with family. Continue Reading →

Jennifer Heitman ’85 Gurney

Jennifer Heitman ’85 Gurney is now an internationally published poet. Jennifer has spent a career in public policy, advocacy and education. Fourteen months ago, she embarked on a journey to become a published poet for the first time – at the age of 59. Since November 2023, she has had nearly 700 poems accepted for… Continue Reading →

Harry Coffill ’89

Harry Coffill ’89 is a K-12 library-media specialist at Godfrey-Lee Public Schools and received the Ruby Brown Award for Individual Excellence from the Michigan Association of School Librarians (MASL). This award recognizes excellence in an individual who has helped promote and integrate the use of the school library in the curriculum and has encouraged local-level… Continue Reading →

Scott Earl ’86

Scott W. Earl, 59, of Lambertville, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly January 29, 2024, in his home. He was born on June 19, 1964, in Port Clinton, Ohio, to William and Janyce (Sumney) Earl. He graduated from Blissfield High School in 1982 where he was a record-breaking track athlete. He attended Hope College and the University of Toledo to study… Continue Reading →

Mark William Ennis ’80

Mark William Ennis ’80 has published his second book. Out of the Wilderness, Honoring His Abusive Christian Father and Mother, based on a real family, explores an abusive family and one man who lived to overcome, forgive, and protect the abusers from abuse. Continue Reading →

Dan Hafley ’80

Dan Hafley ’80 retired as a State of Oregon hydrogeologist in February 2024 to focus on outdoor adventure and family. He continues to consult to the state on emerging contaminant issues Continue Reading →

Denny Griffin ’81

Denny Griffin ’81 became the seventh NCAA Division III softball coach to reach 1,000 career coaching wins when he led Alma College to a 1-0 win vs. Eastern University on Feb. 27, 2024. Continue Reading →

Jack Huisingh ’83 and Julie Rawlings ’83 Huisingh

Jack Huisingh ’83 of Holland, Michigan, was grand marshal for Tulip Time’s Quality Car Wash Volksparade on Saturday, May 11. He was selected in celebration of his impactful service to the community as executive director of the Holland Aquatic Center, from which he retired at the end of June after 11 years in the role.… Continue Reading →

David Myaard ’83

David Myaard ’83 retired in October 2020 from a career in the Foreign Service, which included 23 years abroad. He and his wife, Birgit, now live in Holland, Michigan, just south of Tunnel Park. He was recently selected for a Visiting Research Fellowship with the Van Raalte Institute (VRI) at Hope. Although the Fellowship technically… Continue Reading →

Marnie Marsters ’85 Lamberson

Marnie Marsters ’85 Lamberson reports that during the pandemic she started a Facebook page called “Hope in the 80s” to share information and memories about graduates during the 80s. She notes that the page is in no way affiliated with Hope College – it’s just a nice was to keep in touch with acquaintances and… Continue Reading →

Mark Rebhan ’85

The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors has appointed five new members and elected new officers. The board’s new members are: Maya Favors ’26 of Indianapolis, Indiana; Todd Harburn ’78 of Twin Lake, Michigan; Samantha Poon ’14 of Washington, D.C.; Mark Rebhan ’85 of Farmington Hills, Michigan; and Jon Riekse ’89 of Grand Ledge,… Continue Reading →

Wendy Vanderhart ’85

Wendy Vanderhart ’85 is serving as interim lead minister at the United Church of Christ in New Brighton, Minnesota. As of May, she and her spouse, Joanne, reside in Northfield, Minnesota. Continue Reading →