remembering both grandpas

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Gpa Kok graduated from Calvin Seminary in 1930

This document is a formal Latin diploma from Calvin Theological Seminary and Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is dated June 3, 1930 (MCMXXX).

Document Transcription & Details

The Recipient: The diploma is awarded to Gareth S. Kok.

The Degree: He is being conferred the degree of Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureum (Bachelor of Sacred Theology).

Key Phrases:

Institution: Theologicae Scholae atque Collegii Calviniani (Calvin Theological School and College).
Affiliation: Ecclesiae Christianae Reformatae in America (The Christian Reformed Church in America).
Salutation: Salutem in Domino Nostro Jesu Christo (Greetings in Our Lord Jesus Christ).
Signatures: On the bottom left, the signature appears to be W.P. Van Wyk (President of the Board of Trustees), and on the bottom right, Henry Schultze (Rector).

verbatim:

The Theological School and Calvin College (Of the Christian Reformed Church in America) To the Trustees and Professors And to all who shall read these letters Greetings in Our Lord Jesus Christ

Inasmuch as academic degrees have been established for this purpose: that men distinguished for their character and learning might be honored with titles above others, so that it might be an advantage to themselves and that the study of science and virtue might be increased among men;

Whereas Gareth S. Kok, a Christian man of blameless life, thoroughly instructed in the more refined letters, has pursued the curriculum of the School of Theology even to the goal, and has demonstrated by a more ample and just examination before us that he is worthy of public honor; therefore, let it be known that we have willed that the aforementioned man be created a:

Bachelor of Sacred Theology

In testimony of which fact, we have subscribed our names to this diploma on the 3rd day of the month of June, in the year of our Lord 1930, and the 54th year of the School's founding at Grand Rapids, and have ordered the seal of our School to be affixed, with the consent of the Honorable Trustees.

Given in the Theological Oratory of the School and Calvin College, Grand Rapids (Mich.)

Gpa Kok graduated Grundy College (1925, associates degree)

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Sept 21, 1929 young seminarian Gareth Kok takes this plane across Lake Michigan to preach a sermon as a guest (student) preacher

or is it a

Remington-Burnelli

This image captures a historic moment featuring an early 20th-century aircraft, likely a Remington-Burnelli or similar experimental design from the 1920s.

Subject: The photo shows a pilot standing next to a biplane with a unique, thick fuselage designed for lifting.
Context: The handwritten note on the image suggests a flight scheduled for "Sept. 21, 1917" or potentially 1927, destined for Milwaukee from Oostburg, Wisconsin.
Significance: This era marked rapid experimentation in aircraft design, moving toward larger, more capable passenger and mail planes.
Colorization: The image appears to be a colorized version of a black-and-white photograph, a common technique for bringing historical scenes to life.