Thys Van Hout

Thys J Van Hout peacefully went home to his Heavenly Father with family at his side on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the age of 78.

Thys was born in Balk, Friesland, Netherlands on July 26, 1947. In 1955, he immigrated to the United States with his family-parents Siebe and Marijke, and siblings Henny, Mary, and Anne-settling in Goshen, Indiana. As a young boy, Thys developed a passion for amateur radio, fixing televisions, running a paper route, and working in his father's construction business. He spent countless hours communicating with people around the world using Morse code. One of his most proud yet painful memories was using his amateur radio skills to help communicate news of the devastating 1965 Palm Sunday tornadoes that ripped through Elkhart, Indiana, to the outside world.

Thys married his beloved wife, Barbara, nee Stob, in 1969 while studying at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated with a major in Mathematics and went on to earn his MBA from Purdue University. His successful career began as a logistics manager at Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1987, Thys and Barbara moved their family to Wood Dale, Illinois, where he served as Vice President of Logistics at Kraft. In 1989, he founded Oak Brook Associates, a consulting company through which he worked with numerous successful startups and Fortune 500 companies, traveling the world to provide for his family. Thys concluded his career as Chief Technology Officer at Subway, Inc., working directly with the founder, a capstone achievement of which he was always proud.

Thys was a devoted Christian who lived his life according to Heidelberg Catechism Question & Answer #1: "What is your only comfort in life and in death? That I am not my own, but belong-body and soul, in life and in death-to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ." He taught Sunday school at Parkview Heights Christian Reformed Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Elmhurst CRC. He served as a school board member at Timothy Christian Schools and held numerous leadership positions within both church and school communities.

Above all, Thys was most proud of his children and grandchildren. Once his first grandchild was born, he became known as "Paka" (grandfather in Frisian). Paka cherished having family gather at the lake home in southwest Michigan. He loved taking grandchildren on John Deere Gator rides, going on boat rides, cooking on the grill, making his famous Thanksgiving turkey, and going out for dinner with his children and grandchildren. Paka was an avid gardener and woodworker- he would often be found in the garage working on a project or woodworking piece for his kids and grandkids, living up to his last name of Van Hout (meaning "From Wood"). He loved traveling with his family to his favorite place, Marco Island, Florida.

Thys is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Barbara; daughter Elise (Russell) Hoekstra and grandchildren Kaleb (wife Emily), Chloe (fiancé Josh) and Natalie; son John (Nancy) Van Hout and grandchildren Luke, Tessa, and Kate; son Thomas (Kelly) Van Hout and grandchildren Ben, Max, and Brady; and son Steven (Candice) Van Hout and grandchildren Raegan, Noelle, and Thys. He is also survived by his siblings Henny Butt and Anne Schaaf, and preceded in death by his parents, Siebe and Marijke, and sister Mary Van Hout.

While Paka is no longer with us here on Earth, we can rejoice in the knowledge that he has been reborn in heaven without any health issues, spending forever with our Lord and all the loved ones who have passed before. He will be deeply missed, and fondly remembered for his boisterous laugh, his big heart, keen mind, and love for the "oh boh boh!" May he live on in our hearts and minds forever.

Visitation Monday, March 2, 3-8 PM at Knollcrest Funeral Home, 1500 S. Meyer Rd. (3 Blks. S of Roosevelt) Lombard, IL. Funeral Tuesday, 10 AM at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Rd. Elmhurst, IL. Interment Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery. In his memory, donations may be made to Timothy Christian Schools in Elmhurst, Illinois.