In Memoriam

Chaplain and pastor, Carroll Keegstra, known for his sense of humor and wonderful laugh, died May 4.

A pastor in the Christian Reformed Church since 1983, Rich Hamstra led his congregations with energy, enthusiasm, and love.

A pastor in the Christian Reformed Church for 45 years, Bob Holwerda loved the Lord his God with all his heart and soul, and his passion was obvious and contagious. He died April 30.

A vibrant leader, a man of deep convictions, and friend of God, Ken Gehrels, pastor of First Christian Reformed Church of Kemptville, Ont., died May 10.

Huu Phu Nguyen served Vietnamese New Hope CRC in Wheaton, Ill., for more than 25 years. He died April 17.

A humble man with a “holy” legacy of leading many people to Jesus, Ron Baker died May 5.

Pastor and church planter Henry Karsten died April 26 in Visalia, Calif.

Witty and wise, with a deep love for people, Gary Veeneman died April 25.

With 76 years of active and retired ministry, Jim Van Weelden loved “to tell the story” of salvation in Jesus Christ. He died April 18.

‘Straight shooter’ with a ‘warm heart,’ Dirk Velthuizen died April 14.

A big man with a powerful voice, Henry Katerberg was also gentle, honest, and sociable. He died April 4 at age 84.

A pastor and missionary who wanted to be known for being a child of God, Merle Den Bleyker died March 23.

Ralph Bruxvoort, who preached, taught, and lived out a theology centered on God's unconditional love and grace, died March 23.

Peter Boodt lived to preach and bring the Word of the Lord to any and all. He died Feb. 14.

Peter Kang’s life as a longtime minister and missionary was marked by a passionate dedication to Jesus Christ. He died Feb. 11.

Wayne Leys, who ministered in the Christian Reformed Church for 40 years, made discipleship a priority. He died Jan. 30.

A faithful servant of God with a pastor's heart and a gift for public prayer, Phil Kok died Jan. 23.

Ordained in 1958 and preaching throughout retirement, Garry Stoutmeyer lived his passion of preaching, teaching, and counseling. He died Jan. 5.

Leverne Tanis had a lifelong devotion to serving God and others. He died Jan. 10 at Bethany Home in Ripon, Calif.

Rev. Bobby Boyd, known for his compassionate pastoral care and his passion for evangelism, died Dec. 19, 2020.

A man of perseverance and empathy who pastored several Christian Reformed congregations in Canada, Henry Jonker died Dec. 9.

Approachable and kind, Kiwoong Kim pastored in Korean and Korean American churches for almost three decades. He died Nov. 24 after a sudden illness with COVID-19.

Earl Marlink, pastor and interim ministry specialist, lived a life embodying 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Always abounding in the work of the Lord.” Marlink died Nov. 19.