Van't Hul Bernard, 1931-2016

VANT HUL, PATER, GEELS

Posted By: Mary L Verburg Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

Bernard Van't Hul died in Needham, Mass. on August 21, 2016, after a long decline. Bernie was born to Gerritt and Grace Pater Van't Hul on Oct. 23, 1931. Memories of his boyhood in Rock Valley, Iowa where he was admired for his conviviality, wit, and propensity for tweaking authority as well as for his prowess on the baseball field,k gave him pleasure throughout his life. During the Korean War, Bernie served in the U.S. Army, stationed in West German. He graduated from Calvin College, where he enjoyed many hours as a baseball catcher and a thespian, and where he met his wife, Nelvia Geels, among other lifelong friends of rare intelligence. He earned a Ph.D. in English literature from Northwestern University before returning to Michigan to join faculty of Calvin College and later of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he lived for 45 years. He also worked as a lexicographer at the Middle English Dictionary. Over the years, he gave much of his energy to teaching, editing, writing, drawing, woodcarving, and conversing always inimitably and well.
Bernie was predeceased by his son Jon and by numerous beloved friends. He is survied by his wife, Nelvia (West Newton, Maassachusetts) Garth and Maureen Cuningham; (Daka Senegal) and Sarah (Brooklyn, New York); grandchildren Kaija, Ethan, Issaka and Azara; siblings, Gary and Carolyne; and many dear friends and relatives. He would have liked to imagine each of them reading a good poem and drinking a beer on the front porch in his memory.

Source: Rock Valley Bee 8/31/2016