Dr. Martin J. Bolt

Dr. Martin J. Bolt obituary, Grand Rapids, MI

Martin Bolt Obituary

BOLT - Dr. Martin J. Bolt passed away peacefully on December 25 at 65 years of age after a courageous five-month battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Martin and Tena Bolt; and by his brother, Rev. Calvin Bolt. Survivors include his wife and best friend of 42 years, Nancy (Boylon) Bolt; and children, Dr. Daniel (Dr. Jee-Seon Kim) Bolt of Madison, WI, Dr. Michael Bolt of Grand Rapids, Dr. Sara Bolt of E. Lansing, Laura Bolt of Jackson; and a granddaughter and grandson; brother, Dr. Robert (Carolyn) Bolt; sisters, Theressa Brouwer, Norma (Lloyd) Tinholt; and sister-in-law, Arlene Bolt; and many nieces and nephews. He received his graduate degrees from Michigan State University and was Professor of Psychology at Calvin College for 38 years where he taught classes in general and social psychology. Since 1983 he has authored and regularly revised instructional resources to accompany the many editions of David Myers' widely used Psychology and Social Psychology textbooks. He was the recipient of Calvin's Presidential Award for Exemplary Teaching in 1997, and his most recent book on positive psychology, Pursuing Human Strengths, was published in 2004. Martin will be remembered for his skills in the classroom, including his innovative teaching methods, and his mentoring of students and faculty. Even more important, he was a caring and supportive husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, colleague, and friend who loved his Lord and served his church and community. The family is grateful to the staff at Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion for treatment over the past months and to the staff at Faith Hospice for more recent care. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 29, at 11 a.m. at LaGrave Ave. CRC. with Dr. Stan Mast and Rev. John J. Steigenga officiating. Private interment Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Zaagman Memorial Chapel. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Calvin College or Bread for the World. Zaagman Memorial Chapel

Published by Grand Rapids Press on Dec. 27, 2009.
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To the Bolt family:
Please accept my sympathies regarding the passing of Dr. Martin Bolt. Marty and I were classmates in the early 1950’s at Roseland Christian School in Roseland, Il. His Dad was our pastor at the 1st Christian Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Il. His family moved to Michican in 1957 to answer a pastoral call. I always remember him as a bright student who was going to go places. Also he was quite a ping-pong player. The world swallowed us up and once in a while I wondered how Marty was faring. He did well for himself. Now he’s with the Good Lord.
Again, my sympathies
Bart J. Hoekstra
Woodville, Wisc.

January 30, 2010

I remember with gratitude Mart's warm and supportive presence when I served as college chaplain. May the presence of God cover you as a tent in these days of sorrow and thankgiving.
Bernard Pekelder

January 22, 2010

"Professor Bolt, do you have a few minutes?" This was a normal line for me during my final three years as a student majoring in psychology at Calvin back in the late 80's/early 90's. He was an encouraging mentor to someone (me) who wasn't so sure what course to take in my studies at Calvin.

Always a professor who was interesting in the classroom, he took at least equal interest in his students as individuals. Over the past handful of years, I've often thought of his encouragement that helped shape my future... sometimes wondering how to still give thanks to him.

I'll always be grateful for his presence in my college life. I am saddened for your lose of a husband, father, grandfather, and friend. May the Spirit guide your dark hours and days.

With the love of Jesus Christ.
Randy Buist
Class of '91

Randy Buist

January 18, 2010

I loved the psychology class that I took, taught by Professor Bolt. He was a fabulous professor and contributed so much to his field. Thank you!

Heidi Whitney

January 4, 2010

Professor Bolt was one of my favorite professors when I was a psychology major at Calvin in the mid-1990s. His Social Psych class was the best. My condolences to the family

Deb Vander Weit-Jennings

January 3, 2010

I am so sorry to hear this sad news, and my thoughts and prayers are with Professor Bolt's family. I took Introductory Psychology with Professor Bolt when I was a freshman at Calvin, and I found Professor Bolt to be a fantastic teacher. After graduating from Calvin in 2001 I went on to complete two graduate degrees, and having studied with many wonderful professors I must say that Professor Bolt stood out as a uniquely remarkable teacher, scholar and gentleman. I'm thankful that I was able to learn from him for one short semester. May God grant Professor Bolt's family peace during this difficult time.

Michael Calvin '01

January 3, 2010

I am so sorry to hear of the death of Dr. Bolt. My sympathies to Dr. Robert Bolt. I did not have Mratin as a professor but did have Robert as my history prof. May God comfort you all with the comfort only He can give. In Christ, Norma Vanders Eck (Calvin '71)

January 2, 2010

I am so saddened to read this news. Dr. Bolt was my advisor and one of my favorite professors. May God's peace be with the family.

Karina Westra

January 2, 2010

I am so sorry to hear that Professor Bolt passed away. I had him for a Social Psychology class at Calvin, and it was one of my favorite classes...due much to his teaching methods and creative styles for helping us see psychology at work around us. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. -Erica

Erica

January 1, 2010

I am very sorry for your loss. I will always remember his smile and his teaching of Social Psychology.

Sandy

January 1, 2010

Our sincere sympathy to Marty's family. We have known the Bolt family for years, as Father, Rev. Martin Bolt, was pastor at our church in Holland (Niekerk) many years ago. Also, Nancy was a Holland Chr Grad as I was and we have talked a few times over the years. Our love and prayers go out to the entire family circle in this time of loss and adjustment. Ed and Marge#Wedeven) Boeve

January 1, 2010

Martin frequented the Calvin library, so I saw him often. He was often whistling familiar tunes. He always had a smile for me and a friendly greeting and would ask about my nephew Joel, who had majored in psychology and had taken several courses from him. He wanted to know how Joel was doing in his advanced graudate work in California. What a kind man - to recall my nephew's name from so many students he'd had in class and to personally inquire after him. I could tell that Martin invested heavily in his students! I pray that you, his family, will be comforted by knowing how much Martin was loved and respected here at Calvin. May God's peace be with you.

Kathy DeMey

December 30, 2009

A former student of Dr. Bolt, I am tremendously saddened by his passing. He was an amazing instructor, knowledgeable, patient, and kind. Nine years later, I still recall his lectures and friendly face. Your family is in my prayers.

Jeanette T

December 30, 2009

I had Dr. Bolt for a class at Calvin and I learned so much. Your family is in my prayers.

Emily

December 30, 2009

Dear Dan, Mike, and family, I was very saddened to hear about the loss of your dad. I am glad I had the opportunity to take an interim class he taught at Calvin. He was a great teacher and made it a lot of fun. I know he was an even better father and husband. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Jim Fridsma

December 29, 2009

To the Bolt family, especially my colleagues Mike and Bob,

Please accept my profound sympathy. I was always deeply impressed by Martin's wisdom and humane approach to difficult issues. Whenever I had a committee meeting or taskforce to attend and learned that Martin was on the said committee or taskforce, I always felt much better, knowing that he could be relied on to speak thoughtfully and lead the group to good decisions.
With warm wishes and prayers for comfort for all of you,

Karin Maag
History/Meeter Center
Calvin College

December 29, 2009

I will best remember Martin's unwavering encouragement as he mentored me over the last two years I taught at Calvin College. I am so thankful for the wisdom and grace he shared with me.
Karen J. Vander Laan

Karen Vander Laan

December 29, 2009

Dr. Bolt taught the very first class I attended at Calvin College. My pen broke and I was horribly embarrassed. After class I stayed sitting until everyone else left and he came over and told me a story about a time he had been embarrassed at college. He made me feel so much better. I took several classes with him over the years and always felt he was an amazing teacher and wonderful friend for all of his students.

Lynne

December 28, 2009

Dear Sara and family,

I was so very saddened to hear of the loss of your father (and husband). Please know that I am thinking of you all during this hard time. May you find peace in knowing that he is in a place much more beautiful and wonderful than here, now. And also, please know that I am praying for you that you will find peace and comfort in these hard and sad days ahead.

~Maria Van Houten-Tate

Maria Van Houten-Tate

December 28, 2009

Dear Nancy and family,
There are no words to express the sadness at this time. I am thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. I know your faith will keep you strong. Brooks

Brooks Filonow

December 28, 2009

Dear Nancy, Laura, and family,

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Martin. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mary Smit

December 28, 2009

We will miss Martin's presence very much at Calvin College. He has been an excellent teaching mentor to me over the years. Our prayers are with his loved ones.

Margaret Edgell

December 28, 2009

I have so many good memories of Marty Bolt, but the most memorable are those related to my seven years as academic dean at Calvin College. As dean I worked a great deal with department chairpersons. Mart was chair of the psychology department for most of those years. A memory that remains vivid for me to this day is how he helped me out when Charles Murray, a prominent psychogy scholar, was invited to speak at Calvin's January Series. This invitation sparked an uproar on campus as well as in the broader Grand Rapids community since many saw his book, The Bell Curve, as racist. I disagreed with that evaluation very much and advised President Diekema to resist pressures to cancel the lecture. As a reward for this advice Diekema asked me to be the person to respond to angry faculty members, a job I was not enthused about but which I agreed to in any case. As noted above, I personally took the position that Murray's lecture should not be cancelled, because it would be a violation of academic freedom, but also because his credentials as a scholar were impeccable and the attacks on his book ill founded. In any case, Marty was my primary advisor on the second point, i.e. that his scholarship was impeccable and that the book was being misrepresented. He put me in touch with many important materials to help me make my case to angry faculty members, including materials from his colleague at Hope, David Meyers. In addition, he made himself available several times for conversations regarding the matter. Thankfully Marty's wisdom, which he passed on to me, saved the day and saved Calvin College from academic and moral embarrassment.

Beyond the above observations, I want to say that Marty was among the very finest Christian gentlemen and scholars that I have ever had the opportunity to meet. He was always pleasant, and as a chair a pleasure to work with. Behind his geniality, however, were high standards and impeccable moral integrity. He could and did make tough decisions when called for.

I am thankful to God that I was privileged to be his colleague and friend for so many years. I wish his family God's presence in the midst of this very difficult time. I will never forget Marty in my remaining years.

Frank Roberts
Academic Dean, emeritus
Professor of History, emeritus
Calvin College

Frank Roberts

December 28, 2009

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