Class Year: Sympathy to

Fred Stoller Tessler

Fred Stoller Tessler was born November 8, 1961, in Denver and died March 8 in Colorado Springs. A friend wrote, “Life was ‘a banquet’ (a cabaret too!) for our friend Fred. Passionate, witty, razor-sharp, and flamboyant, Fred brought something just a little more elegant to every rehearsal, opening night, daytrip, dinner or cocktail party. I… Continue Reading →

James Becksvoort

James Becksvoort age 85, of Holland, died Friday, April 15, 2022 at an area care center. He was preceded in death by his sons, Jamie and Brian. He was a member of Grace Community Church. James was a charter member of Grace Church IntersectionMinistries and retired from the maintenance department of Hope College. James is survived by… Continue Reading →

Bryant Hichwa

Bryant Hichwa April 30, 2022, The Sea Ranch, California Bryant Hichwa was a faculty member of the Hope College Department of Physics from 1975 to 1985. Continue Reading →

Jon Huisken

Jon Huisken April 21, 2022, Jenison, Michigan Jon Huisken retired from Hope in 2011 after more than 40 years as the Hope College registrar. Continue Reading →

Marjorie Maas

Marjorie Joyce Maas was called home to her heavenly Father July 17, 2022, at the age of 93. She leaves behind an incredible legacy of love, generosity, kindness, and wisdom. She was the wife to her late husband, Leonard, for 57 years and mother to their two sons, Thomas and Steven Maas. Marjorie was born… Continue Reading →

Francis Fike

Francis Fike, age 89, went to be with his Lord on November 1, at Holland Hospital. Francis was born in New York State and spent many childhood years on his grandparents’ farm. He attended Duke University for undergraduate studies. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Union Seminary, and then attended Stanford University where… Continue Reading →

Gwendolyn Schmidt Snoek

Gwendolyn Lydia Snoek (“Gwen” or “Gwenda”) passed away peacefully at home in Denver, Colorado on September 2, 2022, after a 10-year struggle with ME. Gwenda had a B.A. in Linguistics from York University and a Ph.D. from Colorado State University in cognitive neuroscience and most recently worked as a researcher and assistant professor at Hope… Continue Reading →

Norma Wolcott VanderMeulen

Norma Wolcott VanderMeulen Aug. 15, 2022, Chicago, Illinois Norma was an instructor of Spanish at Hope College from 1948 to 1950. Norma Fern Wolcott was born in LaGrange, a small farming town in northern Ohio. She graduated from the College of Wooster and earned her master’s degree from Northwestern University in Spanish language and literature.… Continue Reading →

Kathy Lundy

Kathy Joy Lundy, age 64, passed away on Monday October 24th, 2022 surrounded by family. Kathy was born on December 13th, 1957 to Jake and Carol Terpstra in Zeeland, MI. Kathy met the love of her life Lon and was married for 45 years. Kathy enjoyed exploring and traveling to new places with Lon. She… Continue Reading →

G. Larry Penrose

As a scholar he explored the fabled history of our world. As a professor at Hope College, he inspired the eager minds of generations. As a naturalist, you could often find him stream-side in the splendor of a fly hatch. It is with sadness that we report that G. Larry Penrose passed away peacefully on… Continue Reading →

Leslie Wessman

Leslie Wessman, age 84, of Holland, Michigan died after a prolonged illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Marjorie Parsons, and her husband, Robert Wessman. She is survived by her sister Lucy Butcher, brother Jeff Parsons, son Dylan Wessman, and granddaughters Katie and Lily Wessman. Leslie graduated from Natrona County High… Continue Reading →

Ronald Fleischmann

Ronald F. Fleischmann Jr., age 43 of Milwaukee, WI passed away peacefully on May 25th, 2023 surrounded by loved ones. Ron was born on March 8th, 1980 to Ronald and Sue Fleischmann. He was preceded in death by his mother, Sue Fleischmann, and beloved dog, Stewie. He is survived by his wife, Liza Fleischmann (nee… Continue Reading →

Maxine Greij

Maxine Kathryn Greij was born in Elliott, North Dakota on October 21, 1937 to Walter and Amelia McCann. She passed away peacefully on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2023, at the age of 85. A strong woman with quiet wisdom, Maxine’s character was formed through taking on responsibilities on the childhood farm and home, and she excelled at… Continue Reading →

Hubert (Herb) Weller

Hubert P. (Herb) Weller passed away June 29, 2023 after sustaining injuries in an accident. He was born in Holland, MI, February 27, 1934, and graduated from Holland High School, where he started studying Spanish and fell in love with the language. He went on to earn degrees in Spanish at the University of Michigan… Continue Reading →

Sang Hyun Lee

Professor Sang Hyun Lee, pictured in 2005 Princeton Theological Seminary shares with great sadness the passing of Sang Hyun Lee PhD, LHD (Hon.), DD (Hon.), Kyung-Chik Han Professor of Systematic Theology Emeritus. Professor Lee passed away on Monday, September 4, 2023. Lee was a celebrated scholar, teacher, mentor, and the first Asian American faculty member… Continue Reading →

Mark Moran

Mark George Moran died peacefully at his home on October 29, 2023. He was 72. Mark battled a variety of health issues over the last year and a half, exhibiting a tenacity and a will to live that was truly inspiring to family and friends. Mark was born in Chicago, IL on November 8, 1950,… Continue Reading →

Nancy Nicodemus

Nancy Nicodemus (88) passed away peacefully on December 2nd, 2023, surrounded by her family after extended care at home and a brief stay at Resthaven Care Center in Holland, Michigan. Born Nancy Ann Schrock in 1934 in LaGrange, Indiana, to Paul and Ruth (Reed) Schrock, she was the middle of three children. Preceding her in… Continue Reading →