Professor Emeritus Charles Steketee died Friday, October 9 in Holland.
He was 93.
He was a professor emeritus of mathematics at Hope, where he taught
from 1946 to 1981. The Jay Folkert and Charles S. Steketee
Mathematics Research Fund at Hope is named in honor of him and
colleague Dr. Jay Folkert.
He was a 1936 graduate of Hope College. As a student he had been a
member of the Fraternal Society, the Chapel Choir, the Men's Glee
Club, the Double Quartet and Operetta. After graduating from Hope as
a mathematics and education major, he completed a master's degree at
the University of Michigan. He subsequently taught in the Howell
Public Schools for eight years before returning to Hope to teach.
In addition to teaching introductory mathematics courses, he developed
the college's high school teaching-methods course and taught college
geometry. He was the initial faculty sponsor of the college's Nu Beta
Chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega national service organization, and
advised the chapter for more than 20 years. Early in his career at
Hope he was a faculty representative on the Student Council, he was a
longtime member of the college's Athletic Committee and coordinated
ticket sales, and he was also a member of the Commencement Committee
throughout his time on the faculty. For many years he had also served
as Holland's official weather observer after the U.S. Department of
Commerce requested that the college furnish the service.
He was a member of Hope Church in Holland.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Beatrice Kline Steketee, on June
23, 1968. Survivors include a son, Paul Steketee, Hope College Class
of 1970.
The funeral service will be held Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. at the Hope Reformed Church, 77 West 11th St., Holland with Rev. Gordon Wiersma and Jill Russell officiating. Burial will be in the Pilgrim Cemetery.
Visiting will be 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 East 16th St., Holland.
Memorial contributions may be given to Hope College or Hope Reformed Church.