Herbert Maatman ’50
Herbert J. Maatman, age 95, walked into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, late Friday evening July 9, following a short illness.
Herb served in the US Army Air Corps during WWII. He graduated from Hope College and received his Masters in Education from Western Michigan University. He taught Physical Education and Business at West Ottawa schools for 31 years, was their first Athletic Director and ultimately was inducted into the West Ottawa Athletic Hall of Fame. Herb was the golf coach at West Ottawa and continued teaching his grandchildren over the years, finding success numerous times in grandfather/granddaughter/ grandson championships at Winding Creek Golf course. In his retirement, Herb worked for many years fund-raising for Mission India and took several trips to India with area pastors. He attended Central Wesleyan Church.
Herb will be fondly remembered for his love for the Lord and for people. His smile and his great memory always greeted everyone, from those he recently met, as well as students from 60 years ago, by name. His family appreciated his love, concern and encouragement for everyone. He was always supportive and wanted to keep track of all the latest happenings.
He will be especially remembered by his children and grandchildren for: -his love and concern showed to his wife, especially the last three years when they were apart.
-his voicemail messages singing “Happy Birthday” and his Facetime calls.
-his love for music, playing the organ and dancing the polka.
-his desire to treat us with Orange Julius’ at Christmas gatherings.
-his desire to teach us Spanish during breakfasts in Mexico.
-his love for hunting and fishing with his son, grandchildren and friends.
-his love for West Ottawa schools and the thousands of students he impacted and encouraged.
-his love for Hope College and their sporting events.
-his amazing memory and love of playing Jeopardy.
-his love for this country, Memorial Day parades and the American flag.
-his love for the Detroit Tigers and the letters he would send to encourage improvement.
-his absolute delight when he was taken to Washington DC on a Freedom Honor Flight for WWII veterans, letters from family and his homecoming in Kalamazoo.
-his love for cars. RE Barber will miss him!
He was loved by many and will be missed always!
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Lorraine; his children, Barb (Ron) Wayner of Sutton, AK, Bill (Lu) Maatman of Holland, MI, Brenda (Kevin) McKenna of Byron Center, MI; 7 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandsons.