Van Bruggen, John A. (1899-1976) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Dr. Van Bruggen began his teaching career in his native Chicago in 1921 at the age of twenty-two at the Roseland Christian School.  Three years later he became principal.  In 1936 he assumed the principalship of Timothy Christian School in Cicero, Illinois.  After five years, he moved to Grand Rapids to take over the principalship of Oakdale Christian School, where he remained until 1947.  He served as one of the first lay members of the Calvin Board of Trustees.  As board member, he filled terms as a member of the Executive Committee and as Vice-President.

Dr. Van Bruggen joined the Department of Education at Calvin College in 1953 and remained there until his retirement in 1969.  He served both the Discipline and the Education Policy Committee for several years.

Dr. Van Bruggen passed away December 14, 1976 after a heart attack at Butterworth Hospital where he was being treated for a kidney ailment.  At this writing, he is survived by his wife, Johanna, three sons, two brothers, and seven grandchildren.

His services to the community included directorships at the Grand Rapids Teachers Credit Union and the Evangelical Christian Scholarship Committee.  He served on one of the planning committees as a delegate of the 1950 White House Conference.  He was a delegate in the U.N.E.S.C.O. Conference in 1952.  From 1958 to 1962 he served on the Board of the Christian Guidance Bureau in Grand Rapids.  Further information concerning Dr. Van Bruggen's activities can be learned from the biography files of Heritage Hall.