Zuidema, George D. (1928-2020). Papers, 1897-2009, 1948-2009.

George Dale Zuidema, son of Jacob and Reka Zuidema, was born in Holland, Michigan, in 1928. Zuidema had various interests while growing up, from traveling to spending time with friends. He was a Boy Scout, submitted essays for contests, had an interest in music and spent time at Interlochen Music Camp, and was involved in HI-Y Association of Michigan, which sponsored a youth government. As a young man, Zuidema worked as a newspaper boy for the Holland Sentinel, at Mill’s Ice Cream Shop, and digging sewers for the City of Holland’s Street Department. He was a graduate of Holland High School in 1946 and attended Hope College from 1946 to 1949. While attending Hope College, Zuidema was a member of the glee club, Phi Kappa Alpha, also known as the Cosmopolitan Fraternity, as well as having an interest in athletics. Prior to graduating from Hope College, Zuidema was introduced to Joan Houtman. They stayed in touch and maintained a long-distance relationship throughout medical school and Joan’s nursing training at the Henry Ford Hospital. On June 2, 1953, the couple was married and together they have four children—Karen, David, Nancy and Sarah.

After graduating from Hope College, Zuidema applied to three medical schools, Northwestern University, University of Michigan and Johns Hopkins University. Never hearing back from Michigan, he chose Johns Hopkins University, which he attended from 1949 through 1953. He completed his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital for a year following graduation and then served in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps until 1956. While in the Air Force, he study the effects of positive G forces on fighter pilots, which later led to his appointment on NASA’s Science and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC). Zuidema returned to the Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was named chief resident surgeon in 1958. From 1960 to 1964, he worked for the University of Michigan as Assistant Professor of Surgery. In 1964, Zuidema returned to Johns Hopkins University as the chief of surgery, where he remained until returning to the University of Michigan in 1984 as the Vice Provost for Medical Affairs. He retired in 1995 after completing his second term as Vice Provost. Throughout Zuidema’s career, he has received numerous awards including an honorary degree from Hope College.

George Zuidema passed in away in Holland, Michigan, on July 6, 2020, from a rare blood disorder.