VanTil, Nick R. 1916-1989

VANTIL, FORD

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 2/12/2014 at 22:36:21

Source: Sioux Center News(5-17-1989)

Born: February 17, 1916
Died: May 10, 1989

Professor Nick R. Van Til, 73, of Sioux Center died Wednesday, May 10, at the Sioux Center Hospital.

He was one of the original five-man faculty which started Dordt College. Dr. John Hulst, president of Dordt, paid tribute to Van Til at Dordt’s commencement service Friday.

Funeral services for Van Til were at Kuiper Funeral Home in Griffith, Indiana, with burial at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Griffith.

A memorial service is scheduled at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center on Sunday, May 21, at 8:30 P.M.

Van Til was born in Griffith on February 17, 1916, and attended Fremont Christian School, graduating in 1929, and from Griffith High School in 1935. He was a graduate of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1942, whereupon he was drafted into the military. Van Til received a commission from the Infantry Officers School.

After Aerial Observer, Aerial Gunnery, Air Intelligence and Amphibious Training School, he was assigned as an Aid Liaison Officer to direct air support for beachhead landing in the Pacific theater. In 19 months overseas, Van Til made the Leyte and Linguyan Gulf (Manila) landings in The Philippines and served the entire campaign in Okinawa. He returned to the United States in December 1945 with the rank of captain and a bronze star.

Returning to school after the war, Van Til did studies in theology, music, philosophy and history. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Michigan in both history and philosophy. While in Ann Arbor, he married Mildred E. Ford, a nurse at the university hospital.

The Van Tils, came to Sioux Center in 1955, where he became a member of the original five-man Dordt College facility. While teaching mainly philosophy and history, he also served as the first choir director, band leader and drama coach.

Van Til wrote many articles for the Dordt facility journal, Pro Rege. He also wrote for early issues of Torch and Trumpet and Christian Renewal. He participated in Radio KDCR commentary from 1973 until April 1989.

Van Til was a member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church, where he served as choir director until his illness of cancer overtook him.

He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Karen Sanchez of Bloomington, Indiana, and Deborah Van Til of Dayton, Ohio, four brothers, one sister, one step-brother, two step-sisters and two half-brothers.