Donald H. Bouma

Donald H. Bouma, 88, died Tuesday, August 8, 2006 in Sun City, Arizona. Born February 9, 1918 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Fred D. and Anna Breen Bouma. He spent most of his life in Western Michigan, retiring to the Phoenix, Arizona, area in 1984. He received the B.A. degree from Calvin College, M.A. from the University of Michigan, and the Ph.D in sociology and anthropology from Michigan State University. From 1944 to 1946 he was in the United States Navy, serving on a mine-sweeper in the Pacific. He began a long academic career when appointed head of the sociology department at Calvin College in 1946. In 1960 he became Professor of Sociology at Western Michigan University, retiring as emeritus professor in 1984. During that time he also served for 25 years as an adjunct professor of criminology at University of Michigan, and as visiting professor at Michigan State University. He is the author of Dynamics of School Integration, 1958, and Kids and Cops: A Problem of Mutual Hostility, 1969. He also authored over 50 monographs and articles in professional journals. From 1974 to 1984 he was an associate editor of USA Today magazine, and for over 20 years was a writer for the Grand Rapids Press. He was a lecturer on social issues to both lay and professional groups through-out the country. In 1963, his Federal District Court, ³Expert Witness² testimony would result in a major change nationally in the way Federal Grand Jury panels were selected. Dr. Bouma was listed in Who¹s Who in America, the International Biographical Index, American Men of Science and Community Leaders of America. He was a member of the American Sociological Association, American Criminology Society, Alpha Kappa Delta, President of the Michigan Sociology Society. He was active at the local, state and national levels. By Governor¹s appointment he was on the Michigan Advisory Committee to the US Civil Rights Commission, and chair of the Michigan Fulbright Scholar Selection Committee. He was head of the Kent County, Michigan Council of Social Agencies Board and President of the Calvin College National Alumni Association Board. He also was an officer of both the Kent Urban League Board and Bethany Christian Services Board. In 1965 he was honored with the ³Academy Award², the highest award given annually for teaching and research, by the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts and Letters. In 1970 he was given the ³Teaching Excellence Award² by Western Michigan University. He is survived by three children: Professor Reverend Gary (Reverend Patricia) Bouma of Melbourne, Australia; Margene (Phil) Burnett of Eaton Rapids, Michigan; Jack Bouma of Tetonia, Idaho; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Other survivors include: brother, Frank (Nell) Bouma of Grand Rapids, Michigan; sisters: Thelma (Jay) Garvelink of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Dawn (Reverend Wendell) Gebben of Ripon, California. Memorial services were held in Sun City, Arizona. Don has requested that memorial contributions be directed in his name to Bethany Christian Services, 901 Eastern Avenue N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501. Visit this person¹s Guest Book at www.dailynews-sun.com.