Christian Van Lonkhuyzen ’64

Christiaan Van Lonkhuyzen, 79, of Central Lake and Spring Arbor, passed away on July 31, 2021 at Munson Medical Center.

Chris was born on March 9, 1942, in Arnhem, Netherlands, the son of Gerrit and Jacoba (Riksen) Van Lonkhuyzen.

In 1955, he immigrated to the USA when he was 13 years old, the oldest of four children.   He graduated from Fennville High School, then continued his education at Hope College, earning his BS. Then onto MSU, where he earned his MS. A summer internship working at Dow Laboratory convinced Christiaan to pursue a career as a high school Chemistry teacher. Following college, he taught Chemistry at Jackson Public Schools from 1967-1998. Through Christiaan’s job, he was able to directly impact the young lives of many!

Chris, an avid birder, organized and planned numerous birding trips around the world.   He was also involved in the Michigan Audubon Society from 1990-2014 and led many Eco Tours throughout the world.

He was a member of the Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church as well as the First Congregational Church in Central Lake.

On June 14, 1968, in Grand Rapids, he married the most remarkable Lucy Ann Hofstra.   Also surviving are a daughter Melissa (Chris) Lantinga of Grand Rapids, three beloved grandchildren, Christopher Lantinga (fiancé Leah Buteyn), Lydia (Jake) Pastoor, and Lucy Lantinga all of Grand Rapids, three siblings, Adrian Van Lonkhuyzen of Holland, Fenneke (Ted) Englebrecht of Denver, Harry (Carla) Van Lonkhuyzen of Grand Rapids and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.