Fear Not! Graduation 2007 - Rehoboth Christian School

AlumniCLASS OF 1957- 50 TH REUNIONThere were six graduates in the class of 1957, five bilagaanas and one littleNative girl. They were Clara Nez, George Berkompas, David Swierenga, BarryKoops, Phil Kamps and Robert Poel. Robert didn’t formally graduate with theclass. He attended Rehoboth until January of 1957, when his dad, Rev. AbelPoel received a call to pastor a church in Michigan and away he went. Still, hewill always be considered a member of this class.The 50 year reunion took place on May 25-26, 2007. It began with a tourof the new gym and fitness center, and the new ‘turf’ field where the soccer,track and field events will take place. For supper, the group was invited to theRehoboth staff farewell picnic. This gave them a chance to mingle and visitwith everyone. Then on Saturday morning, the group had a pancake breakfast,care of Stu Barton. It was a wonderful time to visit and reminisce. It wasalso special that Bernard (Bernie) Koops, father of Barry Koops accompaniedhim to this reunion. He was Principal at Rehoboth for many years. In theafternoon the group attended the Rehoboth High School graduation in Gallupas honored guests. Mr. Koops was thrilled that of the 27 graduates, 26 hadplans to attend college and one was going into the military.A dessert reception was held after graduation for all alumni, withapproximately 125 attending. Our honored guests all spoke and were veryencouraged by what they saw and by what we, as alumni, are doing. Thereunion concluded with a Mexican dinner at the Ranch Kitchen where wespent hours and hours talking about everything!We are now making plans for the Class of 1958’s 50 th reunion. If you were inthat class, please contact me, Flo Barton, at fbarton@rcsm.org or call 505/726-9705. God is good. God bless all of you.George Berkompas ‘57I attended Rehoboth Christian School from the 3rd to the 12thgrade. After graduation I went on to Dordt College for my AA Degree, andthen went on to Calvin where I graduated with a BA in Biological Science. AtCalvin I met Gert, my future wife.During the summer of 1961 I took some courses at WesternWashington to firm up my biology. I still had no idea what I wanted to do.Uncle Sam, with a push from God took care of that. I enlisted in the ArmyVeterinary Corps and became a Food Inspector. God opened the door at Ft.Lewis, and so by default, I became a fish inspector, based in downtown Seattle.Duty assignments often took me to Bellingham, near where Gert was teaching.We married in 1963.After discharge in 1964 I was hired by the Federal Government as aSeafood Inspector. I worked for the Feds for 12+ years, eventually becomingChief of the Northwest Region. Then in 1977, I left the Feds and worked asTechnical Director for several seafood companies for 10 years. I grew tiredof frequent trips away from the family and was hired by the National FoodProcessors Association as head of their seafood (canned salmon) inspectionprogram. I examined (with crew) 99% of the canned salmon packed eachseason. We examined 100,000 to 120,000 samples per season, working closelywith the US Food and Drug Administration sensory experts. I also assisted theUSFDA in conducting sensory classes for regulators and industry people on awide variety of seafoods. I served on the International CODEX Committee asan advisor for setting international seafood standards.I retired in 2004 and moved to Ferndale to be near our daughter andson, and grandchildren (2). We joined the interdenominational church ourchildren attend after having been involved in the CRC and RCA.The Feds came after me at retirement time and offered an opportunityto work my own schedule training inspectors, teaching sensory classes, andinspecting seafood.I’ve also taken up golf and train and raise bonsai trees!Dr. Philip Kamps ‘57A 50 year autobiography. That’s a little scary! Calvin College wasamazing! Many lessons learned. One of the first: I wasn’t really a basketballplayer. Getting cut from the potential Freshman team, just seemed so harshbut Coach Steen was right. I guess that’s why he was the coach. But, therewere tons of good things, like visiting many different churches with new andold friends and of course meeting Betty Houtman, my life partner.Baylor Medical school for four years is mostly a blur and not aparticularly pleasant one at that, but then again there were some marvelousteachers as well as new friends.Internship in Albuquerque was tolerable and even sometimes exciting.Betty taught school there for 2 years and was given great support while I spenta year in South Vietnam with the Medical Battalion. Then there was a yearat Navajo Army Depot as their physician, and two hectic years at RehobothChristian Hospital on the Rehoboth campus in General Practice. Our son,James, was born there in February 1969. Having senior medical studentsduring those years was a relief and a pleasure.I did my OB-Gyn residency in Albuquerque for three years. Ourdaughter, Barbara was born July of 1970.I then headed back to Gallup in 1973. There I saw a hospital built,then 2 clinics, then merger of two hospitals, and then merger of physiciangroup with the hospital. Two more children were born (Jeanne 1975 andJonathan 1978). All four graduated from Rehoboth.Currently, I’m working half time, mostly OB and GYN ultrasoundand assisting moms having babies, and helping with surgery.Barry Koops ’57He stepped down as Headmaster of Lexington Christian Academy,after serving for 16 years, in July. Since then he has been teaching at GordonCollege in MA, and providing consultant services to a school in this area. Hiswife, Delianne, a Presbyterian minister, has taken a position in East Lansing,MI, so they will be moving there shortly.12 Rehoboth Christian School Summer 2007