Northwestern mourns the death of Bob Reynen
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Bob Reynen, Northwestern's director of church relations, died on April 19 in Orange City Area Health System. He had been diagnosed with brain cancer on Dec. 30.
Reynen, 61, rejoined Northwestern’s staff in 2002 after serving as the college’s first church relations officer from 1969 to 1975. A lifelong member of the Reformed Church in America, he promoted church giving to the college’s annual fund, planned and hosted Northwestern’s annual Pastors Conference, and coordinated the spring tours of NWC’s musical groups.
"Bob made an impact on others by his quiet, conscientious, Godly presence," says John Greller, Northwestern's vice president for advancement. "He commanded respect. He was always willing to help in any way he could. When I saw pastors applauding him at this year's Pastors Conference and praying for him at the meeting of the East and West Sioux Classes, it was clear to me that they had a great respect and affection for him. He will be greatly missed."
Reynen served as vice president of his consistory, an elder and a classis representative in the RCA. He chaired or co-chaired his church’s board of deacons, building committee and pastoral search committee. He also sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and served as its bookkeeper.
A 1968 Northwestern College graduate, Reynen owned and operated his own farm near Hollandale, Minn., for 27 years. For 10 of those years, he also ran a computer business and was the finance director and treasurer for Hollandale Christian School. He also served as president of the school’s board.
Reynen's wife, Sharon, is Northwestern's admissions assistant. Three of their daughters are Northwestern alumna: Sue Shields '93, Tricia Veenendaal '97 and Liz '07.
Reynen, 61, rejoined Northwestern’s staff in 2002 after serving as the college’s first church relations officer from 1969 to 1975. A lifelong member of the Reformed Church in America, he promoted church giving to the college’s annual fund, planned and hosted Northwestern’s annual Pastors Conference, and coordinated the spring tours of NWC’s musical groups.
"Bob made an impact on others by his quiet, conscientious, Godly presence," says John Greller, Northwestern's vice president for advancement. "He commanded respect. He was always willing to help in any way he could. When I saw pastors applauding him at this year's Pastors Conference and praying for him at the meeting of the East and West Sioux Classes, it was clear to me that they had a great respect and affection for him. He will be greatly missed."
Reynen served as vice president of his consistory, an elder and a classis representative in the RCA. He chaired or co-chaired his church’s board of deacons, building committee and pastoral search committee. He also sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and served as its bookkeeper.
A 1968 Northwestern College graduate, Reynen owned and operated his own farm near Hollandale, Minn., for 27 years. For 10 of those years, he also ran a computer business and was the finance director and treasurer for Hollandale Christian School. He also served as president of the school’s board.
Reynen's wife, Sharon, is Northwestern's admissions assistant. Three of their daughters are Northwestern alumna: Sue Shields '93, Tricia Veenendaal '97 and Liz '07.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 22, from family present from at First Reformed Church in
The funeral will be on Wednesday, April 23, at at First Reformed Church in Bob's CaringBridge webpage
Obituary on Oolman Funeral Home's website
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