Albert Hamstra was kind, gentle, wise, principled and courageous. He had the ability to encourage people to do more than they thought they could do. He worked passionately for social justice, especially related to issues of race. Albert truly lived what he believed, and he lived the gospel. "Imagine what the world would be like if everyone lived their life the way Dad did,” reflected his daughter, Rena. Albert died suddenly and unexpectedly July 13 from a heart attack.
Albert graduated from Calvin Seminary and was ordained in 1979. He and his wife, Mindy, served with Christian Reformed World Missions (now Resonate Global Mission) in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Hong Kong before moving to Grand Rapids where he was Asia regional director and director of special projects for World Missions. He retired in 2017. In the past several years, he was involved in Congregations Organizing for Racial Reconciliation, and helped guide the work of the Micah Center in Grand Rapids.
Albert was a prodigious reader. He loved gardening with Mindy, doing puzzles, and yoga. Up until the day he died he practiced yoga for more than an hour each day. At age 71, he still had the flexibility to position his foot behind his head.
He is survived by Mindy, his wife of 46 years; six children and spouses; seven grandchildren (with another due in September); and two great-granddaughters. In gratitude for its research on congenital heart defects (which benefited the life of his grandson, Malachi), Albert donated his body to the University of Michigan’s Medical School.
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.
