Veenstra, Rolf L. (1913-1990) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Rolf Veenstra was born in Grand Rapids May 20, 1913.  The Veenstra family moved to Colorado.  After graduation from high school, Rolf came to Calvin College.  His seminary education was at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.  An additional year was necessary in order to become ordained in the Christian Reformed Church.

After graduation in 1939, Veenstra served in the Hope Christian Reformed Church, Grandville, Michigan; East Muskegon, Michigan, 1941; Bethel, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1946; First Cicero, Illinois, 1952.  In 1957 he went to Nigeria as a missionary.  Seven years later he taught at the Reformed Bible Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  When Veenstra moved to Rehoboth, New Mexico, in 1969, he served as pastor of Rehoboth CRC until his retirement in 1979. He then volunteered at the Rehoboth Christian High School library for the remainder of his life.

The Veenstras remained in Rehoboth where Rolf passed away December 29, 1990. His wife, Nella née Ricker died in 2011.  For many years he wrote a column in The Banner titled "A Word a Week."

At a memorial service, on January 13 at Sherman Street Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, several of his colleagues spoke about Rolf as a man of prayer.  He was ahead of his time-in less formal attire, changes in worship services, and wit in the pulpit-but held tenaciously to a lively and joyful love for Jesus Christ and the preaching of His Word of Salvation.