William Spoelhof

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William Spoelhof
BornDecember 8, 1909
DiedDecember 3, 2008(2008-12-03) (aged 98)
Occupation(s)Calvin College
University of Michigan
TitlePresident
Term1951–1976
PredecessorHenry Schultze
SuccessorAnthony Diekema
SpouseAngeline Nydam
ChildrenRobert Spoelhof, Elsa Scherphorn, and Peter Spoelhof.

William Spoelhof (December 8, 1909 – December 3, 2008) was the

school.

Biography

Spoelhof was a native of

Calvin College in 1931. He received a master's degree from the University of Michigan
in 1937. After completing his doctoral studies, he returned to Calvin to teach history and political science in 1946.

In 1956, after becoming president of the college, Spoelhof was responsible for the initiation of the school's move to its current Knollcrest campus. The move was not completed until 1973. Toward the end of the 1960s Spoelhof also had to deal with the impact of nationwide student protest movements on the Calvin campus.

In 1935 Spoelhof married Angeline Nydam and they had three children. The

129099 Spoelhof
is named in his honour.

Spoelhof died on December 3, 2008, just five days shy of his 99th birthday.[1]

Military service

On June 17, 1943, Spoelhof applied for a commission or warrant officer's rank in the US Naval Reserve and was accepted, becoming a Lieutenant, Junior Grade.[2] He joined the OSS and served as an intelligence analyst, specifically focusing upon the liberation of the Netherlands. His mission of gathering intelligence in the Netherlands was terminated on October 10, 1945,[3] and he was released from active duty on November 9, 1945.[4]

On January 31, 1946, he was awarded the Bronze star for his actions during the liberation of the Netherlands.[5] On February 23, 1946, he was invested as a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau by decree of Queen Wilhelmina.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Longtime Calvin College president William Spoelhof dead at age 98". Grand Rapids Press. December 3, 2008. Archived from the original on December 6, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-03.
  2. ^ Application for Commission or Warrant, June 17, 1943, William Spoelhof Papers, Heritage Hall Archives, Hekman Library, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  3. ^ From the Chief of Naval Personnel to Lieutenant William Spoelhof, "Orders," 10 October 1945, William Spoelhof Papers, Heritage Hall Archives, Hekman Library, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  4. ^ From the Chief of Naval Personnel to Lieutenant William Spoelhof, "Release from Active Duty," 9 November 1945, William Spoelhof Papers, Heritage Hall Archives, Hekman Library, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  5. ^ Citation for Bronze Star Medal, January 31, 1946, William Spoelhof Papers, Heritage Hall Archives, Hekman Library, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  6. ^ Appointment of Lieutenant William Spoelhof to be a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau, February 23, 1946, William Spoelhof Papers, Heritage Hall Archives, Hekman Library, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Bibliography

External links

Academic offices
Preceded by
President of Calvin College

1951–1976
Succeeded by