IN MEMORIAM: Rev. Carl D. Tuyl

April 11, 1925 – May 5, 2010

Rev. Carl Tuyl, a gifted preacher and writer, man of deep integrity, friend of many, Nazi labor camp inmate, and wounded combat soldier, died from a pulmonary embolism following knee surgery. He was 85.

Tuyl was born in The Hague, the Netherlands, and his late teen years found him deeply affected by the Nazi occupation. Summoned by the Nazi occupiers to serve in the German war industry, he went into hiding, was arrested by the SS, escaped, was arrested again, and spent four years of intense suffering in various German labor camps.

After the liberation by Allied forces in 1945, Tuyl made his way back to the Netherlands.  

Soon after, the Dutch government conscripted him to serve in its expeditionary forces meant to liberate Indonesia from the Japanese occupiers. Serving as a platoon leader, Tuyl was wounded in battle and spent several months in army hospitals.

Tuyl’s lifelong love for the chaplaincy stemmed from those days of benefiting so much from chaplaincy care.

Back in Holland in 1950, he resumed his studies and married the love of his life, Martje Slager. In 1954 they emigrated to Canada.

In 1959 the couple and their small children moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., where Tuyl studied for the ministry, graduating from Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary.

He subsequently served the following Ontario Christian Reformed churches: Aylmer CRC; Wallaceburg CRC; First CRC, Toronto; and First CRC, Kingston. He retired in 1990.

Tuyl lived a life of vibrant joy, gratitude, and service. He will, above all, be remembered for his uplifting exuberance. He was as free-wheeling and fun-loving as he was straightforward and compassionate. It was his deep reliance on his Savior that enabled him to come to terms with the intense sufferings in his young life.

A master of both Dutch and English, he preached his Savior’s grace in moving phrases.  He served the denomination on various committees; during most of his career he was a key member of the CRC Chaplaincy Committee.

Upon his retirement, the city of Toronto made him a consultant for the Homes for the Aged Chaplaincy Services. The provincial government appointed him executive director of the Ontario Multifaith Council.

Tuyl was predeceased by Martje in 2004. He is survived by their children, Corrie Tuyl, Dian and Henry Hofstra, Alice and Brian Peddie, and Derrick and Diane Tuyl, and nine grandchildren.