Van Andel, Henry J.G. (1882-1968) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Henry Van Andel was born in the Netherlands in 1882.  He completed the education needed for elementary teaching, as well as for a headmaster's diploma.  After teaching briefly in Dutch elementary schools he immigrated to America in 1909.  Calvin College granted him the A.B. degree in 1914.  The next year he received an M.A. degree from the University of Chicago.  Appointed an Instructor at Calvin in 1915 he was made Professor of the Dutch language and literature two years later.

Professor Van Andel was a true, enthusiastic Dutch patriot.  He wrote and produced three pageants portraying his motherland.  "The Dawn of Dutch Liberty," "The Siege of Leyden," and "William and Mary."

Students enjoyed his teaching in large classes of Dutch history and art.

He was also an accomplished organist, serving as the official college organist for many years.  He taught organ at Calvin for twenty years.

His literary efforts were many.  He served as Associate Editor of the Christian Journal, Religion and Culture.  In 1935 he became one of the Associate Editors of the Calvin Forum.

In his retirement years, he made a thorough study of the Dooyeweerd-Vollenhoven philosophy.  He also translated from the French and Latin, John Calvin's "Golden Book of the Christian Life" and added an historical introduction to the publication.

Dean Ryskamp in his Memoriam to Professor Van Andel quotes President Schultze: "He was an individualist.  There will never be another Prof. Van Andel."  Ryskamp adds, that "without a doubt, he was one of the most versatile, one of the most productive men on the staff."

Prof. Van Andel was married to Cornelia Jansma in Roseland, Chicago, on August 26, 1915, They had two children, Dorothy and John, both of whom are living at this writing. 12/18/1989