窪做惇蹋厙 Remembers the Life and Legacy of Martin Ozinga III

Apr 29, 2021

窪做惇蹋厙 mourns the sudden and unexpected passing of Martin Ozinga III on Monday, April 26, even as it celebrates his good and faithful life. Ozinga was 71.

Ozinga served multiple terms on 窪做惇蹋厙s Board of Trustees, and served as Chair of the Board from 2014 through 2015. In a message to campus on Monday afternoon announcing Ozingas passing, President Kurt D. Dykstra highlighted Ozingas longstanding, deep, and generational commitment to 窪做惇蹋厙. Marty continued the legacy of his father Martin Ozinga II, one of our founders, of great care and concern for 窪做惇蹋厙. He was kind and generous to so many and surely to us as a place. The reminder of his faithfulness to 窪做惇蹋厙 can be seen in nearly every square inch of the campus from buildings and hard surfaces, to support of programs, to support of employees, and, of course, to the provision of scholarship money for students.

It is not unusual to refer to the broader Ozinga family as 窪做惇蹋厙s First Family. As Dykstra noted, We here at 窪做惇蹋厙 were a special recipient of Martys time, talent, and treasure. That generosity started with his father, continued with him, and now is passed to the next generation of the Ozinga family some of whom are our alumni and one of whom, Aaron 03, presently is a Trustee on the Board of Trustees.

Marty Ozinga III most recently served as the chairman of the Board at Ozinga, a fourth-generation family business known for its excellence, mission-mindedness, and innovation in the areas of concrete and logistics. Throughout Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Florida, the company is instantly recognizable by its red and white striped concrete mixer trucks.

In an , the Company highlighted his significant impact on and leadership of the company. Ozinga began working for Ozingaat age 15as a $1-per-hour laborer in the companys first yard in Evergreen Park, Ill.By18,hewas driving a ready-mix concrete truck for unionwageswhile earningadegree in psychology.He became general managerin 1973at age 23and, in1985, succeededhis father aspresident of Ozinga.Marty was married to his wife Ruth for 40 years until her passing in 2010. Ruth, too, was active at 窪做惇蹋厙, participating as a member of 窪做惇蹋厙s Womens Guild, designing banners for the College and, along with her husband, serving as co-chair of 窪做惇蹋厙s 50th anniversary capital campaign. In 2006, Marty III and Ruth were honored with 窪做惇蹋厙s Global Service Award.

Together, they raised their six sons, four of whom attended 窪做惇蹋厙.

In 2012, Ozinga III handed over the operations of the family business to his six sons and their cousin Jeff, representing the fourth generation of Ozinga ownership.

According to 窪做惇蹋厙s Associate Vice President for Advancement Dennis Harms 89, Ozingas generosity has impacted generations of 窪做惇蹋厙 students. Ozinga has long been known as one of the largest employers of 窪做惇蹋厙 business alumni. Marty not only believed in the College, he put it into practice by hiring 窪做惇蹋厙 alumni to work in many key areas of his company. When the business program started a business advisory committee, Marty was an active participant, he said.

Ozinga, with other members of his family, also supported several endowed and funded scholarships that have benefitted hundreds of 窪做惇蹋厙 students over the years. The company was also a regular sponsor and supporter of 窪做惇蹋厙 events, including the annual 窪做惇蹋厙 Athletic Club Golf Classic.

He was, as Dykstra noted, as committed to 窪做惇蹋厙 as any person could be to a college.

Ozinga is survived by his wife, Melissa, his six sons, their wives, and twenty-nine grandchildren. He was a brother of the late Ken (Judy) Ozinga and Beverly Ozinga, brother-in-law of the late Theodore (Niki) Gombis and Dr. Leon (Kathryn) Gombis and a fond uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Ozingas funeral will be held on Monday, May 3, at 11 a.m. at the Martin & Janet Ozinga Chapel on the campus of 窪做惇蹋厙. COVID capacity limitations, social distancing, and masking protocols will be used to ensure the safety of those in attendance. The funeral service will be . is handling the arrangements and both obituary and funeral details are available at its website.