Rev. John H. Stek, went to be with his Lord on June 6, 2009
at the age of 84. Having dedicated his life to understanding and
teaching God's
word, he found comfort in Psalm 103, "Praise the Lord, my soul...who
forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases...so that your youth
is
renewed like the eagle's." Born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, March 7, 1925, he
was
nurtured in a strong community of faith. He began his studies at Calvin
College
in 1942. In 1944 he was called to serve in the US Army in the Pacific
Theater.
After the war he returned and graduated from the Calvin Theological
Seminary in
1952. He was ordained and pastored the Christian Reformed Church in
Raymond,
Minnesota. In 1961 he began teaching at Calvin Seminary in the biblical
languages and Old Testament continuing until retirement in 1990. In
1965 he
began his work with the Committee on Bible Translation and later served
as
Chairman for 15 years. This work resulted in the publication of the New
International Version in 1978 with subsequent revisions and the Today's
NIV in
2003. He was an editor of NIV Study Bible which was published in 1985
and fully
revised in 2002. He took special interest in studying the unique poetic
structure of the Psalms. Millions around the world continue to be
blessed by
his work. John is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nadine R. (DeBruin)
Stek;
four children, Ruth and Douglas Paauwe, Douglas and Lisa Stek, Stanley
and
Cyndy Stek, David and Janice Stek; and 16 grandchildren and nine great
grandchildren.
Also surviving are three sisters, Clarissa and Gerald Rozenboom,
Harriet and
Raymond Brand, Kathryn VanGilst and their families. Visitation will be
held on
Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel. The
funeral
service will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Fuller Avenue Christian Reformed
Church.
A memorial service will be held at Calvin Seminary Chapel at a later
date to be
announced. Memorial contributions may be made to the John H. Stek
Doctoral
Chair in Biblical Studies of Calvin Theological Seminary or a charity
of your
choice.
Rev. John H. Stek, went to be with his Lord on June 6, 2009
at the age of 84. Having dedicated his life to understanding and
teaching God's
word, he found comfort in Psalm 103, "Praise the Lord, my soul...who
forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases...so that your youth
is
renewed like the eagle's." Born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, March 7, 1925, he
was
nurtured in a strong community of faith. He began his studies at Calvin
College
in 1942. In 1944 he was called to serve in the US Army in the Pacific
Theater.
After the war he returned and graduated from the Calvin Theological
Seminary in
1952. He was ordained and pastored the Christian Reformed Church in
Raymond,
Minnesota. In 1961 he began teaching at Calvin Seminary in the biblical
languages and Old Testament continuing until retirement in 1990. In
1965 he
began his work with the Committee on Bible Translation and later served
as
Chairman for 15 years. This work resulted in the publication of the New
International Version in 1978 with subsequent revisions and the Today's
NIV in
2003. He was an editor of NIV Study Bible which was published in 1985
and fully
revised in 2002. He took special interest in studying the unique poetic
structure of the Psalms. Millions around the world continue to be
blessed by
his work. John is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nadine R. (DeBruin)
Stek;
four children, Ruth and Douglas Paauwe, Douglas and Lisa Stek, Stanley
and
Cyndy Stek, David and Janice Stek; and 16 grandchildren and nine great
grandchildren.
Also surviving are three sisters, Clarissa and Gerald Rozenboom,
Harriet and
Raymond Brand, Kathryn VanGilst and their families. Visitation will be
held on
Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel. The
funeral
service will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Fuller Avenue Christian Reformed
Church.
A memorial service will be held at Calvin Seminary Chapel at a later
date to be
announced. Memorial contributions may be made to the John H. Stek
Doctoral
Chair in Biblical Studies of Calvin Theological Seminary or a charity
of your
choice.