Austin Aardema ’59

Dr. Austin A. Aardema, M.D. of Fort Myers, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2017 after a brief illness. He was 80. Austin was originally from Muskegon, Michigan. He graduated from Hope College in 1959, and earned his medical degree in 1963 from Wayne State University. He was a family physician for over 50 years, practicing in Muskegon until moving to Fort Myers in 1982 where he continued his practice until his retirement. During his life, he accomplished so much and touched so many lives. He joined the Civil Air Patrol and got his pilot’s license when he was 16, and was then a private pilot for many years. He taught himself how to play golf while in college, and became the ultimate “down the middle” guy – both on the golf course and off. He had a natural curiosity about everything, and loved the process of learning and teaching. He was also an avid reader who never met a book he didn’t like. Austin was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Verna. Verna Aardema was an acclaimed author who published over 30 children’s books. Austin is survived by his wife, Adele, and was an amazing father, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was deeply loved by his children, Chuck Aardema, Jim Aardema, Kristin (Aardema) Faigh, Jill (Aardema) Long, and Jeff Peterman, his sister Paula (Aardema) Dufford, ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and all of their extended families. His family will be celebrating his life privately. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for your donations in his memory to his caring hospice providers at Hope Healthcare. Gifts can be made online at www.Donate.HopeHCS.org, or by sending a check with instructions to: Development Department, 9470 Healthpark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908.

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