Rev. Dr. Benjamin J. Boerkoel, Sr. was a man of great intelligence. He dedicated his life to his work, spending countless hours surrounded by books, absorbing and analyzing the texts by which he sought to live his life.
Born December 12, 1931 in Grand Rapids to Abraham and Alice (Cammenga) Boerkoel, Benjamin was the middle child out of the family's three children. His older brother had cerebral palsy and his sister was about ten years younger, so he did a lot of care giving growing up. The family moved to California when he was still a young boy; his father was the local Christian School principal. Even in his boyhood, theology was a major component of Benjamin's life and an aspect of his existence that would remain of great significance throughout
Benjamin graduated from Upland College Academy, then went on to Calvin College and Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While at Calvin, he sang in the Calvin Radio Choir, where he met Jane Dekker, the woman he would spend the rest of his life with. The couple married on August 14, 1952.
Serving an internship during the summer in Sully, Iowa, he took his first ministerial call to Lacomb, Alberta, Canada, where the family had the first house in town with indoor plumbing. It was a small church that served a broad area. The entire congregation would come to the church in the morning, stay for a potluck dinner, then have the next service so they could go home and do the chores and not have to drive back to church later in the day. He then served a church in Wisconsin before coming back to Grand Rapids in 1963. It was important to Benjamin that religion be taken seriously, and he made sure that his involvement in the church was a priority at all times.
Once back in Grand Rapids, he worked in a variety of jobs; at various times he taught for the Grand Rapids Public Schools, managed the local Christian Discount Book store, and served as the director of the Kent Safety Council. However, ministry and theology were always most important to him. He became the associate pastor at Seventh Reformed Church and also served many pulpits as a guest preacher, including preaching at the Dutch service at a local area church. Benjamin did not ever sit idle for long. He constantly had work to do, and nothing could keep him from his dedication to his work.
In 1967, he founded and served as president and professor of historical theology at Westminster Institute of Theology, continuing to devote a lot of time to his work. Even in the last few years, he was able to do a lot from his own home, using his computer to teach and correspond with students. In 1971, he served as adjunct professor of historical theology at Trinity Evangelical Seminary of Florida, and in 1995 was appointed as the seminary’s president, again able to do all his work via correspondence.
As a father, Benjamin was quite strict and had very high standards for his children, knowing they were capable of great things if they worked hard and kept to their studies as he had. In the early years, Friday nights were reserved for family time, and he often conducted slide shows that he would put together for them. He loved to take pictures of churches, and family vacations often included this activity. Benjamin always dressed in a suit – even to mow the lawn or to go to the beach. He was a perfectionist and critical thinker, often spending hours with his books and taking copious notes. His book collection at one point reached 17,000, showing his dedication and appreciation for the written word. He was a man of many words, and given his intelligence, they were almost always big words. In addition to reading, he also wrote several books of his own. Around the house he was very handy, and could fix just about anything. He made sure that everything was done right.
Although Benjamin was stubborn and opinionated, he softened over the years and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He and his wife also enjoyed several cruises. He was a collector of store-bought sea shells and model churches, delighting in small things that represented bigger ideas.
Benjamin contracted West Nile virus 7 years ago, leaving him limited in his movement. About 3 ½ years ago, he and his wife moved to Villa Maria for physical reasons. It was difficult to part with many of his books, but he donated them to a local seminary as well as to two grandsons who were pursuing the ministry, ensuring that they would continue to be used. Rev. Dr. Benjamin J. Boerkoel, Sr. went to be with his Savior on November 1, 2009 at the age of 77. He will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jane Helen (Dekker); his children Ben Boerkoel, Jr. and Dan Kantorowski, Alice (AJ) and Dave Furniss, Jim and Lyn Boerkoel, Dave and Debbie Boerkoel, Faith and Vince Regan, Grace and Dennis Van Haitsma; 21 grandchildren; one great grandchild; sister Beatrice Elling; brothers-in-law/sisters-in-law Kathryn Otte, Peter and Lillian Dekker, Robert and Lillian Walvoort, Warren and Mary Ann Prinsen; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Abraham and Alice Boerkoel, his brother Calvin Boerkoel, and his parents-in-law, James and Jennie Dekker. Funeral services for Dr. Boerkoel will be held on Wednesday, November 4 at 11:00 a.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard NW, with Rev. Ronald Baker, officiating. Entombment at Restlawn Memorial Garden Mausoleum, Holland, Michigan. Visitation will take place on Tuesday from 7 – 9 PM and on Wednesday from 10– 11 AM until the time of the service . Memorial contributions may be sent to the Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, 2965 Leonard St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505. To read more about his life, to share a favorite memory or to sign the online register, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.
Rev. Dr. Benjamin Boerkoel
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