Stob, George (1907-2002) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

George Stob was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 19, 1907. Stob enrolled at Calvin College and Seminary to pursue a career in ministry. He graduated from the Seminary in 1936 earning his Th.B. Shortly after graduation, Stob accepted the call from the Sumas CRC in Sumas, Washington. During this time Stob married Joan H. Dahm. By 1940 the young couple moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where Stob became the pastor for the Burton Heights CRC. When World War II broke out, Rev. Stob became a chaplain for the U.S. Army and served the troops in France.

After his three-year service as chaplain, Stob enrolled at Princeton Theological Seminary with the aid of his GI Bill. During his time at Princeton, he also temporarily served as the pastor for Preakness CRC in Preakness, New Jersey. In 1947 Rev. Stob returned to his alma mater, Calvin Theological Seminary. This time not as a student, but rather as a member of their faculty.

Stob proved to be an effective teacher. Lewis Semdes described his former teacher as “a person of rock-like integrity.”  However, his call of the duty at the Seminary came to an end in 1952 and he returned to ministry. He went on to serve the congregations of Richfield in Clifton, New Jersey (1953-1962); Wheaton, Illinois (1962-1967) and Washington, DC (1967-1974). In October of 1974, Rev. Stob retired.

Besides being known as a minister of the CRC and a professor, Stob is also known as one of the founders of the theological magazine, The Reformed Journal. Even in retirement he continued to write, study, and volunteer. On September 17, 2002 Rev. George Stob passed away due to a brain concussion from a fall. He was survived by his wife, Joan, and their children.