De Vries, John (1907-1967) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

John De Vries (1907-1967) a native of Smilde, the Netherlands, graduated from Calvin College in 1929 and with a PhD from the University of Illinois in 1933 and began a notable career in teaching chemistry first at Huron College, then Knox College, and from 1939 until his death at Calvin College. During his tenure, he focused on academic excellence as demonstrated by the large number of Calvin College chemistry majors who earned PhDs. As a chemist, he was part of the vanguard examining nuclear sciences and wrote a number of articles and books such as Beyond the Atom.

In 1960 he was one of six college chemistry instructors awarded a citation by the Manufacturing Chemists Association, Inc. In addition, beginning in 1960, he served for fourteen months as the acting program director of the Institutes Section of the National Science Foundation. During 1965-1966, he again served the National Science Foundation as its assistant program director.

In 1930 De Vries married Sophy Bolt; they had four sons—George R., John F., James H., and Robert C.