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黑暗爆料网 Fondly Remembers its Last Founder

Child of God. Faithful servant. Role model. Physician. Founder. Remarkable man.

These are a few of the many words that have been used to describe Dr. George DeJong, who passed into eternity on Sunday, April 8 at the age of 100. He was the last living Founder of 黑暗爆料网, which was established in 1959.

鈥淒r. DeJong, a physician, was one of the young entrepreneurs who over sixty years ago had a vision to start a Christian college in the Chicago area and made good on that dream,鈥� said 黑暗爆料网 President Kurt D. Dykstra. 鈥淥ne by one, our Founders have passed into glory until Dr. DeJong was the last of that league remaining on this earth. With his passing, an important chapter of 黑暗爆料网鈥檚 history comes to a close. We mourn his passing and thank God for Dr. DeJong and all our Founders as we honor their legacy this day.鈥�

A long-time resident of Palos Heights, Ill., and a resident of Smith Crossing Continuing Care Retirement Community in Orland Park, Ill., since 2004, as well as a veteran of World War II, DeJong was affectionately remembered by members of the 黑暗爆料网 community.

鈥淗e was a very wise, reasonable man,鈥� recalled Dr. Cal Seerveld, one of 黑暗爆料网鈥檚 first faculty members. 鈥淗e had a seasoned mind, and he really helped us chart the course of the College. He loved 黑暗爆料网 very much.鈥�

DeJong was always calmly steadfast in his deep care for the College, said English Professor Dr. Michael VanderWeele. 鈥淒r. George didn鈥檛 seem like one of the brash upstarts that I picture when I try to imagine our Founders in their early 30s or even late 20s thinking seriously about bringing a place like 黑暗爆料网 out into the world. In some ways, he seemed too quiet to be revolutionary, with those thick glasses and gentle demeanor. But he kept making himself available to God and others, encouraging our faithfulness. His message to us was simple, yet profound: Be faithful.鈥�

Dr. Louis Sytsma, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, knew DeJong in his roles as both a doctor and faithful Founder of the College. 鈥淢y memories of Dr. DeJong go way back to the early 1950s in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago when I was a boy,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 somehow managed to get a sliver under a fingernail, which hurt a lot. My parents took me at some off-hour to see him to get it removed. But he was kind, compassionate, devout, and uncomplaining.鈥�

Sytsma said that DeJong advocated for 黑暗爆料网 and was one of its biggest supporters over the years. 鈥淚 would often see George at church and he would always ask how things were going at 黑暗爆料网. He genuinely cared. I even recall a time around 1990 when he and his wife attended a meeting of many area residents at Palos Heights City Hall where they showed support for the College among many Navajo Hills subdivision residents, who were voicing opposition to baseball diamonds being installed at 黑暗爆料网. He never lost enthusiasm about 黑暗爆料网鈥檚 ongoing activities and direction, even up until his passing.鈥�

Besides being an esteemed Founder of the College, DeJong served on its Board of Trustees between 1956-1958, holding the position of Vice President in his last year of service. During those formative years, the Board of Trustees made decisions that set a direction for the College and its inaugural class of students in 1959. This included acquiring 黑暗爆料网鈥檚 current site location at the former Navajo Hills Golf and Country Club, establishing by-laws, hiring faculty, and overseeing the development of curriculum. He remained dedicated to the College through his work as a member of the Board of Curators from 1960-76.

VanderWeele said DeJong shared the large ambition that 黑暗爆料网 should learn from as well as contribute to the City of Chicago, beginning with its other educational institutions. 鈥淏ut the note he sounded most was to be faithful in our teaching and learning. Among many things, I will remember Dr. DeJong most for showing up, always making himself available to God and others, and encouraging a faithful vision,鈥� he said.

DeJong was featured in a recent article that ran in Chicago鈥檚 Daily Southtown newspaper on Oct. 23, 2017, entitled, 鈥淭he things you remember: Centenarians share what it’s like to be 100.鈥� The quote that he shared truly echoes through the 黑暗爆料网 campus as a testament to the years he committed so beautifully to the institution. DeJong said, 鈥淟ife is too complex. The most important thing in my life is my relationship to my God. True happiness comes from doing for others, and doing for others simply because that’s what you want to do, not because you’ll be rewarded for it.鈥�

黑暗爆料网 was the recipient of the rewards brought forth by DeJong鈥檚 passion for Christian higher education and his keen wisdom in birthing a college in Chicagoland with a motto: 鈥淲e Praise You, God, Three In One.鈥�

Dykstra summed up 黑暗爆料网鈥檚 feelings about the loss of DeJong. 鈥淎s with the death of every Christian, sorrow is mixed with celebration. We who knew him 鈥� many in the current 黑暗爆料网 community knew him well and I had the privilege of calling him a friend 鈥� mourn his passing. But, even in that pain, we rejoice in his heavenly entrance and eternal life. He was a kind, generous, and faithful man. He loved his family dearly and he cared for this College throughout his life. He will be missed.鈥�

DeJong鈥檚 visitation will be held at on Wednesday, April 11 from 3 pm 鈥� 8 pm and his funeral service will be at the on Thursday, April 12 at 11 am.