Interested in ministry from an early age and actively preaching through his 92nd year, Gysbert Rozenboom died on April 2 at the age of 101. Rozenboom was the oldest living retired Christian Reformed pastor.
Rozenboom graduated from Calvin College and Seminary. During his seminary years, he spent a couple of summers traveling, singing, and preaching with the Seminary Quartet. He found great joy in preaching the good news of Jesus Christ.
Following ordination in 1941, Rozenboom faithfully pastored eight Christian Reformed congregations throughout the U.S. Midwest: Hollandale (Minn.) CRC; First CRC, Prinsburg, Minn.; Christ Community Church, Sheboygan, Wisc.; Westview CRC, Grand Rapids, Mich.; First CRC, Hull, Iowa; Grant (Mich.) CRC; Faith CRC, Kalamazoo, Mich.; and Little Farms CRC, Coopersville, Mich. He loved teaching catechism to the youth and being involved in youth programs. After retiring in 1981, he served as an interim pastor for 15 churches throughout the U.S. as well as serving as a “winter park” chaplain for 20 years in Bradenton, Florida.
Rozenboom’s family has fond memories of the many wonderful road trips taken over the years to places in the U.S. and Canada. Rozenboom also loved sports and competition and was an avid fisherman and golfer. His last golf game was at age 100. He was still playing pool and Wii bowling until two months before his death.
Rozenboom will be lovingly remembered by his children: Lois, Al (Jan), Pat, Nadine (Ron); and by 13 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased in 2013 by Ada, his wife of 73 years, and two sons-in-law.
About the Author
A former nurse and chaplain, Janet Greidanus is a freelance news correspondent and long-time writer of the In Memoriam column for The Banner.
