Obituary for Rev. Dr. Bert Van Soest
Rev. Bert E. Van Soest
The Rev. Dr. Bert Van Soest, born July 31, 1921 in Strasburg, North Dakota to Peter M. and Mary Van Soest, was the fifth of six children. He graduated from Central College in Iowa, Western Seminary in Michigan, and was ordained as a minister in the Reformed Church in America.
He was married to Barbara Stavast for 45 years until her death in 1988. They had four children, Mark, David, Janice and Linda.
Rev. Van Soest was in ministry for more than 50 years serving congregations in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Colorado, two in New Jersey, and founded the Faith Reformed Church in South Centerville, New York.
He served as President of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America in 1976, and for two years as the director of the Office of Discipleship for the denomination.
During his ministry Rev. Van Soest was instrumental in starting several new churches, oversaw church building projects, initiated the first CROP walks for the hungry on the east coast, as well as influencing and mentoring many people to enter Christian ministry and service.
He worked for civil rights, the rights of women, elderly and the physically challenged, preservation of land for parks and wilderness and wrote many articles for religious publications. He often said, “Any success attributed to me was all the work of the Lord.”
He was predeceased by his son Mark in 1998. He is survived by three children and their spouses: David (Judy), Janice (Cliff), Linda (Kevin), ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Faith Reformed Church, PO Box 454 Slate Hill NY 10973.
Visitation hours will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 pm on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940. A Funeral Service will take place at 10:30 am at the Warwick Conference Center, 62 Hoyt Rd, Warwick, NY 10990. Burial will take place in the family plot in Ridgebury Cemetery in Slate Hill.
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