Dr. J. Cotter Tharin, who founded the college’s geology department and taught at Hope for 29 years, died on Thursday, Aug. 9, at age 87.
He joined the faculty in 1967 and was recruited to establish the department, which
today is named the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, and retired in 1996 having chaired the department his entire time at the college.
He was also the first adviser of the college’s Sailing Club.
An obituary that highlights his impact at Hope as well as in the community, where his service included three terms on the Holland City Council, is available online.
Funeral services will be on Wednesday, Aug. 15, at 11 a.m. at Dykstra Funeral Home-Mulder Chapel, with Father Charlie Brown officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. prior to the service, and a lunch will be served after the service, both also at the funeral home, which is located at 188 W. 32nd St., between Washington/Michigan and Pine avenues in Holland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:
The J. Cotter Tharin Fund
c/o Development Services
Hope College
141 E. 12th St.
Holland, MI 49423