English Professor Emeritus Henry (Hendrik) ten Hoor died on December 26, 2007, at age 93 in Holland, Mich.
He was born in Holland on July 11, 1914, the youngest son of Melle and Treintje (Venhuis) ten Hoor. He graduated from Holland Christian High School in 1932, and from Calvin College in 1938. He received his Ed.D. from University of Michigan in 1963. From 1938 to 1943, he taught Latin at Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, Tennessee. He was drafted in 1943 and served in the U.S. Navy until July 1946, commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He joined the faculty of Hope College in 1946 and taught in the English Department for 33 years until his retirement in 1979. His specialty was Shakespeare.
During his long life, Mr. ten Hoor enjoyed many skills and interests. He was an accomplished baritone singer, and directed the choir at Maple Avenue Christian Reformed Church for many years. He was a long-time member at Maple Avenue, serving as an elder on the consistory. He also served on the CRC Board of Publications. He was a member of Pillar Christian Reformed Church at the time of his death. He was a member of Holland Area Senior Professionals (HASP), and did volunteer work for The Bridge, and for Holland Hospital, installing lifelines. He was also a self-taught artist who produced many fine wood carvings.
He married Beatrice Mae Visser in August 1940. She preceded him in death on April 13,1986. He married Gertrude Alphenaar Versendaal on April 30, 1988. She preceded him in death on April 8, 1999. He was also preceded in death by his parents; six brothers and sisters, Hendrik, George (Garmt Jan), John (Jan), Sena (Gesina), Cora (Cornelia), and Lena.
Mr. ten Hoor is survived by his three daughters and their husbands, Joan ten Hoor and James B. Dobson of Solsberry, Indiana, Lois (ten Hoor) and Russell Sterenberg of Hillsboro, Oregon, and Ellen (ten Hoor) and Kevin Fitch of Saugatuck, Michigan. He is also survived by grandchildren, Matthew and Yuko Sterenberg, Mary Sterenberg, and Amy (Sterenberg) and Michael Achterman, William Perec and Margaret (Meg) Perec, and Kevin P. H. Fitch; two great-grandchildren, Jude Perec and Izumi Sterenberg; 11 nieces and nephews. Also surviving are Gertrude's children, Kathleen (Versendaal) and Jerry Wittingen, Sherrill (Versendaal) and Robert Bredeweg, Glenda (Versendaal) and Steven Forsten, and Calvin and Sally Versendaal.
A memorial service will be held Monday, Dec. 31 at the Pillar Christian Reformed Church in Holland, Mich.