December 22, 2005

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Christian Reformed Church announced today that David H. Engelhard, general secretary-emeritus of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, succumbed to the effects of brain cancer after a 10-month struggle.

In making the announcement, Peter Borgdorff, Executive Director of the CRCNA, said: "The family and all who knew David are comforted by his testimony that God was and is with him. There is relief in knowing that David is now free of pain and declining capacity. There is assurance in knowing that the gates of heaven opened wide so that he could enter into his eternal rest."

Engelhard taught Hebrew and Old Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary from 1971-94. The synod of the Christian Reformed Church appointed Engelhard to the position of general secretary in 1994, a position he held until his medical leave began in February of 2005.

Engelhard leaves his wife, Jeanne, daughters Kris and her husband Chris (Grek), Erin and her husband John (Molhoek), and son David Jr. and his wife Alisa (Engelhard). David and Jeanne Engelhard were blessed with four grandchildren.

Due to the Christmas holiday it is anticipated that visitation will be on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 26-27, at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton Street SE., Grand Rapids, Mich.

It is anticipated that the memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 28, at the Shawnee Park Christian Reformed Church, 2255 Tecumseh Dr. SE, Grand Rapids.

Christian Reformed Church