In Memoriam

After serving as a pastor for 40 years in Christian Reformed churches in four states and enjoying retirement in Spokane Valley, Wash., Herman Leestma passed away on January 17. He was 93.

John Primus was remembered as a scholar, a dedicated teacher, and one who modeled Jesus Christ in humility and kindness. He died on November 5 at age 86. 

John Cooper, 94, was a Christian Reformed pastor with an unwavering faith in God’s love. He died on October 16.

Mechanic, pastor, and poet Walt DeRuiter lived his life according to Micah 6:8.

Steadfastly committed to his lifelong calling of preaching, prayer, and pastoral care, Ken Koeman died peacefully on August 8, after a brief illness. He was 75.

Bill Kooienga, a warm, kind, gentle, thoughtful, joy-filled man of God, and a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church for 38 years, passed away peacefully on July 12. He was 82.

Bert Den Herder, having ministered in Christian Reformed churches from 1955 to 1989, died on June 30 at the age of 94.

Ralph Bronkema, church planter, chaplain, pastor, passed away on July 30. He was 88.

Ralph Baker, who served with Christian Reformed World Missions among the Tiv people in Nigeria for 35 years, died on June 29 at the age of 94.

As a chaplain, Bob Brummel was a listener, a comforter, and a guide to those who were suffering. He died in Grand Rapids on May 9.

Peter Borgdorff loved the Lord, his family, the Christian Reformed Church, and the church worldwide. He died May 21 at age 78.

Kraker was a big man with a big laugh, a wonderful sense of humor, and a love for adventure. He died April 9. 

“My dad was an ordinary boy from an ordinary family from an ordinary neighborhood in an ordinary town called Muskegon,” said one of Howard Vanderwell’s sons at his memorial service. 

Boer will be remembered for his kindness and understanding, for his unique sense of humor, 

John Timmer came from a family that for generations had faithfully sown the seeds of the Word of God into the hearts of the next.

Having served more than 30 years as a pastor, missionary, chaplain, and counselor, Harry Van Dam, died on Feb. 4 at 86.

Albert Vanden Pol touched many people with his pastoral heart and gentle spirit. He died on January 24 in Surrey, B.C.

A humble man with an ecumenical spirit and a warm, welcoming smile, Vugteveen died on February 1, at the age of 84.

A man of prayer with a passion for spreading the gospel, Richard D. Sytsma was one of the pioneer missionaries to Japan in the early 1950s . . .

Seung Jai Kang, 80, was a dedicated and energetic pastor who lived his life in service to local ministries, church planting, and teaching...

Carl Reitsma was born on Reformation Day and loved the Reformed faith.

Cal Niewenhuis was a quiet, humble, patient, and hard-working man.