Ion Agheana

The family of Ion Agheana of Holland,
Michigan who died on Wednesday, Dec. 27,
2017. He was 80.
He was a member of the Department of
Modern and Classical Languages from 1979
until retiring as professor emeritus of Romance
languages in 2014. He taught primarily Spanish
but also French, Italian, Portuguese and
Romanian. He joined the faculty as an associate
professor and was promoted to professor in 1986,
and chaired the Department of Modern and
Classical Languages from 1984 to 1987.
The graduating senior class named him the
recipient of the “Hope Outstanding Professor
Educator” (H.O.P.E.) Award in 1983, the first
year of his eligibility. In 2009, he was invited
by the college’s chapter of the Mortar Board
honorary society to speak through the chapter’s
“Last Lecture Series” featuring members of
the faculty.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Pat
Agheana; daughter, Deborah Agheana; and
grandson, Ian (Heather) Pierce.

Holland, MI passed away on December 27, 2017 at his home. Ion was preceded in death by his first wife, Gay MacPherson Agheana, his parents, Tudor and Ioana Agheana, and his sister, Georgia. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Pat Agheana, daughter Deborah Agheana, and grandson Ian (Heather) Pierce. Born in Romania on December 25, 1937, Ion was a graduate of the University of Bucharest (Bachelor of Arts, 1961) and Harvard University (MA, 1967 and PhD, 1970). He taught at Dartmouth College for 9 years before joining the faculty of Hope College in 1979, as an Associate Professor of Romance Languages. Ion was promoted to Professor in 1986, and retired as Professor Emeritus in 2013. He served as Chair of Hope’s Department of Modern and Classical Languages from 1984 to 1987. He received the H.O.P.E Award from the College in 1983, the first year of his eligibility to receive it. A beloved teacher and author of multiple academic works, he was a well-respected scholar in his field. A memorial service will be held at Pillar Church (57 E 10th Street) in Holland, Michigan on Tuesday, January 2 at 1pm with Rev. Jon Brown officiating. For more information, or to sign an online register book, please visit www.dykstrafuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Holland. – Grand Rapids Press

 

Return to Current In Memoriam