Lambert J. Flokstra (1897-1965) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Lambert J. Flokstra was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on March 18, 1897. Flokstra was first a student of the local Christian school and then attended Calvin Preparatory School. Flokstra attended Calvin College to embark a career in Christian education. He began his career in the Christian schools of Muskegon, Michigan and later in Perkins, Iowa and Chicago, Illinois. While in Chicago, he served as principal of the Ebenezer Christian School. Also during this time, Flokstra also received his Ph.B., A.M. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Chicago.

During his stint at Ebenezer, Flokstra met his bride-to-be, a fellow teacher named Wilma Kramer. Together they had three children. In 1927, Flokstra accepted a faculty position as professor of education at Calvin College. From 1948 to 1958, he was appointed chairman of the Education Department at Calvin College. Flokstra passion for education went outside the classroom as he served on both state and college educational committees. He attended the Fuller Avenue Christian Reformed Church and served as an elder. With a fifty-year educational career under his belt, Lambert J. Flokstra passed away on April 28, 1965.