Gordon G. Beld

BELD -- Gordon G. Beld, 86, of Holland, formerly of Grand Rapids and Alma, died May 9, 2014. Surviving are his wife, Martha D.; a son, Dr. Scott G. Beld of Ann Arbor, a daughter, Dala J. Beld (Antxon Basurko) of Pasai Donibane, The Basque Country of Spain, a son-in-law, Thomas Wagner of New Jersey; two grandchildren, Alar and Dala Basurko of Pasai Donibane; a sister, Peg (Alvyn) Hinken of Byron Center; brothers-and-sisters-in-law, John Debbink of Ann Arbor, Carol Wehrley of Wauwatosa, Wis., and Nancy Debbink of Okemos; an aunt, Marie Beld of Grand Rapids; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by daughter Barbara Wagner. The son of George H. and Josephine (De Young) Beld, he was a graduate of Wyoming High School and received degrees from Hope College and the University of Michigan. As a trooper of the Army's U. S. Constabulary, he served in the occupation of Germany after World War II. He was an editorial staff member of The Grand Rapids Press (1944-46 and 1959-65) and The Grand Rapids Herald (1947-59) , a teacher at Kelloggsville and Godwin Heights Public Schools, and a teacher/administrator at Wyoming Public Schools. For 24 years he was director of news services and publications at Alma College. He was the first chairman of the Wyoming Historical and Cultural Commission (1963-65) and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Holland Area Historical Society (1997-2003). First of his nearly 300 features on Michigan and Midwest history were published in the Grand Rapids Press during the 1960s. Later he wrote for Michigan History and Grand Rapids magazines. His historical novel, A Gentle Breeze from Gossamer Wings, was published in 1999; and two books concerning the history of Grand Rapids were printed in 2012. In collaboration with Alma area historian David McMacken, he wrote A History of Alma College: Where Plaid and Pride Prevail which was published in 2014. Refugees and other immigrants were the focus of his voluntary efforts, and since 1980 he and Martha were involved in sponsorships of families from Cambodia in Alma, from Vietnam in Grand Rapids, and from Kosovo in Holland. For more than twenty years he provided volunteer editorial assistance to Exodus World Service, an Illinois-based organization which mobilizes Christians in service to refugees. In 1994 he was the first recipient of Exodus's Open Arms Service Award for efforts in behalf of refugees. For eight years he served in Holland as an assistant instructor in English-as-a-Second Language classes for immigrants. He was a deacon and elder of Faith Reformed Church in Wyoming, chairman of the Administrative Board and several committees of Alma United Methodist Church, and pastoral care elder at Christ Memorial Church in Holland. Memorial gifts may be sent to Exodus World Service (PO Box 620, Itasca, IL 60143). A memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at Third Reformed Church, 111 W. 13th St. Holland. A time of fellowship and visitation will follow the service. The family is being served by Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St. Holland. www.langelandsterenberg.com.

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Gordon G. Beld

May 9, 1928 - May 9, 2014