Thomas Hoekstra Obituary

Hoekstra, Thomas Earl 76, of Third Lake, Illinois passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on January 8, 2018. He was born in Chicago, Illinois to the late Theodore and Katherine (Eerdmans) Hoekstra. He earned his undergraduate degree from Wheaton College, his Master's degree from Indiana University, and his Ph.D. in Choral Literature from the University of Iowa. He was a longtime faculty member of the Music Department at College of Lake County, the Choir Director and Organist at St. Andrew Episcopal Church in Grayslake, and the Music Director at the Apollo Chorus of Chicago from 1985 to 1997. He is survived by his wife of thirty-nine years, Sheila (nee Skowronski) Hoekstra; his children, Kristin (Matthew) Humphrey; Joel (Antonia) Hoekstra; and Meredith (Benjamin) Metzler; his grandchildren, Jack and Anna Hoekstra and Sydney and Miles Metzler. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Frances (David) Jordan, Donald (Carol) Hoekstra, David (Susan) Hoekstra, Karen Hoekstra; and many nephews and nieces. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, John (Thongthian) Hoekstra. A Celebration of his Life is being planned at St. Andrew Episcopal Church, 31 Park Avenue, Grayslake, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to the Parkinson Foundation at Parkinson.org