Drost, Richard (1891-1972) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

The 1961 Calvin College Prism was dedicated to Professor Richard Drost of the history department: "ours is the opportunity to recognize the service, which, for the past twenty-two years, has been given to Calvin College by Dr. Richard Drost. We undertake to do so with humility, but encouraged by the knowledge that he will be as sympathetic with our present failings as he has been with them in the past. As Professor of History, as a sponsor of campus organizations, as director of Chapel activities, and perhaps more than any of these, as a friend and personal advisor whose sincerity and warmth were immediately and constantly apparent, Dr. Drost has well-merited the affection with which this year’s Prism is dedicated to him."

Richard Drost served as assistant professor of history from 1939-1941 and associate professor from 1941-1945. His term as professor of history was from 1945 until retirement in 1961. He served as chairman of the department from 1954-1956.

Three years after his birth in Wautena, Friesland, the Netherlands, the Drost family moved to the United States where his father, Rev. F. J. Drost, served churches in Whitinsville, Massachusetts; Eastmanville, Michigan; Byron Center, Michigan; Los Angeles, California; Oak Harbor, Washington; and Otley, Iowa. Richard’s early education was in schools in places where his father served. His undergraduate work was at Calvin Academy (1907-1909); Occidental (1914-1917); University of Washington (1917); and Central College (1924-1925). He received his MA (1926-1927) and PhD at the University of Iowa (1930-1931). The PhD dissertation was on "Forced Labor in the South Pacific."

Before coming to Calvin College, Drost taught in Christian schools in Kalamazoo, Chicago, and Peoria (1909-1914); in high schools in Peoria and Cedar Rapids, Iowa (1921-1929), and at Central and Simpson colleges (1929-1939).

During his tenure at Calvin College, Drost served on various committees at the college as well as serving as elder at Sherman Street CRC (1941-1946) and at Calvin CRC (1947-1949 and 1950-1953). He was a leader of Men’s Society and of Young Men’s Society.

When Richard Drost passed away, January 28, 1972, he was survived by his wife, Minnie; two daughters, Sheila (Mrs. O. Buus) and Josephine (Mrs. M. Geerdes); and a son, Albert F.