In Memoriam

Rev. Samuel Ten Brink

1925 - 2007

Rev. Samuel Ten Brink passed away unexpectedly March 14. He was 81.

Ten Brink was born Oct. 18, 1925, in Muskegon, Mich., where he attended grade school and high school. From 1943 to 1946 he served with the 106th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. He graduated from Calvin College in 1950 and Calvin Theological Seminary in 1953. He married Mary Ann Harnew in 1950.

The young couple began their ministry in Community Christian Reformed Church of Saginaw, Mich., in 1953. In 1956 Ten Brink was called to Bluffton CRC, Muskegon, Mich. Six more congregations were to follow: Harrison (S.D.) CRC (1959); Lodi (N.J.) CRC (1963); Northside CRC, Clifton, N.J. (1967); Lafayette (Ind.) CRC (1974); First CRC, Kalamazoo, Mich. (1980); and Hills (Minn.) CRC (1986). The couple retired in 1990.

Rev. Ten Brink is remembered as a faithful servant of his Sender. His love for Christ was the source of his love for people. He was a true people person. He could as easily talk with people about their relationship to the Lord as about their daily lives.

Ten Brink is also remembered for his humor. He loved both preaching and teaching. And he loved his family; they fondly remember camping trips with him through the years. At the classical level he was known for his considerable administrative skills.

Ten Brink is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; their children, Paul and Carol Ten Brink, Phil and Mary Lou Ten Brink, Sam and Sherry Ten Brink, and Beth and Hank Bouman; and by 13 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.