Dr. Ralph W. Vunderink, 85, of Jenison, MI went home to be with Jesus on June 29, 2024. He was born in Amsterdam on January 7, 1939 to Rudolph and Wytske Vunderink. He graduated from Gereformeerd Gymnasium, and studied Greek and Latin at an Amsterdam University. He immigrated to Canada in 1958 and then to Grand Rapids in 1959, He was married to Tena (Harkema) for almost 58 years, before her death in 2020. Tena immigrated from Friesland as a teenager and met Ralph at Calvin College.
Ralph received a PHD at Chicago University. He taught many years at Aquinas College (Grand Rapids). He also taught at Calvin and Kendal School of Art (Grand Rapids), Hope College (Holland), Winebrenner Seminary (Findlay, Ohio) and Tyndale Seminary in Amsterdam. He also pastored two churches. He loved volunteering at Potter’s House School in Grand Rapids. He loved the children! Ralph also enjoyed distributing food at the H.C. Lutheran Church in Jenison.
Chess was his favorite game, winning many trophies over the years. For the past few months a young boy named Gabriel, came to Sunset Manor to play chess with him. Ralph loved Cedar Church and helping with VBS. He enjoyed Bible Studies with Circle of Hope and Torah Group, and also loved to play the organ.
Ralph dearly loved his family and friends and was always eager to lend a helping hand. Ralph and Tena had two sons, Randy (Hudsonville, MI.) and John (Connie) of Dorr, MI. Grandchildren include Emily (Jim) Huizenga of Dorr, MI., Tom (Nichole) Miller of Zeeland, MI., Ashley Vunderink of Chicago and Sarah Staal of Omaha, NE. Great Grandchildren are Kaelyn, Dylan and Mason Miller, and Asher Staal.
Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Tena, and his brother Edward Vunderink of Canada. He is survived by his brother Reinier (Mary) and sister Wytske Vunderink, who still resides in The Netherlands. He has numerous nieces and nephews. Brothers and sisters in-laws include Bill and Betty Hordyk of Bryon Center, Janet Bakelaar of Hudsonville, Sid and Betty Harkema of Jenison, and Pauline Vunderink of Canada.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Woodhaven Reformed Church on July 23, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be from 10:15 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The church is located at 3959 68th Street SW, Byron Center, MI 49315. There will be a private burial at Georgetown Cemetery in Hudsonville.
Thank you to all of you who were a part of Ralph’s life.
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