West Ottawa High School Alumni
Holland, Michigan (MI)
Recent Members
| Asleen Durden | 2013 |
| Beverly Pieper | 1968 |
| Corina Miller Corina Vanorder | 2002 |
| Ginger A Harbison Ginger A Harbison | 1973 |
| Laura Fu | 1998 |
| Lily Chan | 2015 |
| Sarah Coats | 1976 |
| William Bigelow | 2023 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your West Ottawa High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Panthers lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni
Alex Potgeter
Class of 2004
Army, 4 Years
Alex is serving in the US Army. He left for Basic Combat Training on 13 June, 2004 and is still serving.
Class of 2004
Army, 4 Years
Alex is serving in the US Army. He left for Basic Combat Training on 13 June, 2004 and is still serving.
Beau Denney
Class of 2005
Army, 2 Years
Currently serving at the Army National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.
Class of 2005
Army, 2 Years
Currently serving at the Army National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.
Benjamin VanderHulst
Class of 1998
Navy, 6 Years
Served in both operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom aboard the USS T. Roosevelt down in the engine room, making sure the reactor was safe.
Class of 1998
Navy, 6 Years
Served in both operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom aboard the USS T. Roosevelt down in the engine room, making sure the reactor was safe.
Bob Aardema
Class of 1964
Air Force, 20+ Years
Went into pilot training after graduating from Hope in 1969. Served 6 years on active duty during Viet Nam and 17 more years flying for the Michigan Air National Guard out of Battle Creek. Ended my career flying the A-10 Thunderbolt II.
Class of 1964
Air Force, 20+ Years
Went into pilot training after graduating from Hope in 1969. Served 6 years on active duty during Viet Nam and 17 more years flying for the Michigan Air National Guard out of Battle Creek. Ended my career flying the A-10 Thunderbolt II.
Bob Beckman
Class of 1968
Navy, 20+ Years
Served in the U. S. Navy from 1973 through 1995 with two tours onboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV67).
Class of 1968
Navy, 20+ Years
Served in the U. S. Navy from 1973 through 1995 with two tours onboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV67).
Charles Briggs
Class of 1993
Navy, 5 Years
U.S. Navy F-18 Mechanic, Quality Inspector, and Flight Deck Trouble Shooter and Final Checker. Two deployments to Persian Gulf and over 700 days at sea.
Class of 1993
Navy, 5 Years
U.S. Navy F-18 Mechanic, Quality Inspector, and Flight Deck Trouble Shooter and Final Checker. Two deployments to Persian Gulf and over 700 days at sea.
Corey McNeill
Class of 2003
Army, 2 Years
I've been serving at Camp Stanely South Korea since Sept. 2007.
I've extended my tour for 1 more year.
I'm in the 61st Maintence Co.,
501st Support Group,
Unit #15334.
I love serving and defending my county.
Class of 2003
Army, 2 Years
I've been serving at Camp Stanely South Korea since Sept. 2007.
I've extended my tour for 1 more year.
I'm in the 61st Maintence Co.,
501st Support Group,
Unit #15334.
I love serving and defending my county.
Daniel Cnossen
Class of 1990
Navy, 2 Years
I was stationed aboard the USS Carl Vinson (Aircraft Carrier) in Bremerton Washington. I served 2 years active duty (1991-1993) and 6 years inactive duty.
Class of 1990
Navy, 2 Years
I was stationed aboard the USS Carl Vinson (Aircraft Carrier) in Bremerton Washington. I served 2 years active duty (1991-1993) and 6 years inactive duty.
Dr. Steven Stam
Class of 1966
Army, 4 Years
Military Occupation Specialty - Armor Unit Commander; Highest rank achieved - Captain
Class of 1966
Army, 4 Years
Military Occupation Specialty - Armor Unit Commander; Highest rank achieved - Captain
Gary Bloemers
Class of 1967
Army, 2 Years
Basic training at Fort Knox KY, Fort Polk LA for Advanced Infantry Training and then Fort Benning GA for Scout Dog School. After Scout Dog School went to Viet Nam and was assigned to the 49th Scout Dog Platoon, 199th Light Infantry Brigade. Spent 1 year in Viet Nam with my scout dog Dusty working with different infantry units.
Class of 1967
Army, 2 Years
Basic training at Fort Knox KY, Fort Polk LA for Advanced Infantry Training and then Fort Benning GA for Scout Dog School. After Scout Dog School went to Viet Nam and was assigned to the 49th Scout Dog Platoon, 199th Light Infantry Brigade. Spent 1 year in Viet Nam with my scout dog Dusty working with different infantry units.
Gary Derksen
Class of 1967
Air Force, 26 Years
Jet Engine Mechanic. Served 3 year tour with USAF Thunderbirds. Stationed at various bases state side and overseas.
Class of 1967
Air Force, 26 Years
Jet Engine Mechanic. Served 3 year tour with USAF Thunderbirds. Stationed at various bases state side and overseas.
James Rininger
Class of 1999
Air Force, 6 Years
I have been stationed in Alaska, Colorado, and Texas. Spent 9 months in Korea at Osan and Kwang Ju. I've also been to Iraq.
Class of 1999
Air Force, 6 Years
I have been stationed in Alaska, Colorado, and Texas. Spent 9 months in Korea at Osan and Kwang Ju. I've also been to Iraq.
Jennifer M Gunn (Allen)
Class of 2002
Air Force, 5 Years
Entered basic training in October 2009. Attended technical training for Public Health at Brooks City Base after graduating basic. Stationed at Sheppard AFB from April 2010-Sept 2014.
Class of 2002
Air Force, 5 Years
Entered basic training in October 2009. Attended technical training for Public Health at Brooks City Base after graduating basic. Stationed at Sheppard AFB from April 2010-Sept 2014.
Jim Corwin
Class of 1964
Army, 3 Years
Served 3 years with 10th Special Forces Group Airborne.
Class of 1964
Army, 3 Years
Served 3 years with 10th Special Forces Group Airborne.
Jim Wilson
Class of 1975
Air Force, 20+ Years
After 20 years traveling the world in support of Mobile Air Traffic Control Electronics and Computer Security, I can truly lay claim to "been there done that...". Desert storm was my last and final h
Class of 1975
Air Force, 20+ Years
After 20 years traveling the world in support of Mobile Air Traffic Control Electronics and Computer Security, I can truly lay claim to "been there done that...". Desert storm was my last and final h
Jim Wilson
Class of 1975
Air Force, 20+ Years
Air Traffic Control Computer Security
Class of 1975
Air Force, 20+ Years
Air Traffic Control Computer Security
Ken Cooper
Class of 1980
Marine Corps, 6 Years
I was an aviation safety equipment mechanic maintaining many elements for the crew including ejection seats.
Class of 1980
Marine Corps, 6 Years
I was an aviation safety equipment mechanic maintaining many elements for the crew including ejection seats.
Kendra (Madison) Ward
Class of 1991
Army, 4 Years
Stationed at Fort Hood, TX, Fort Lee, VA and Fort Jackson, SC.
Class of 1991
Army, 4 Years
Stationed at Fort Hood, TX, Fort Lee, VA and Fort Jackson, SC.
Kevin Gilmor
Class of 1984
Navy, 6 Years
Data Systems Technician. Served aboard the USS Arthur W. Radford DD-968 (1985-1990)
Class of 1984
Navy, 6 Years
Data Systems Technician. Served aboard the USS Arthur W. Radford DD-968 (1985-1990)
Kim Mentzer
Class of 1976
Army, 6 Years
6-1/2 years Military Police, stationed at Fort Devens, MA and Field Station Augsburg, Germany. Re-enlistment oath administered in MA by 1969 WO grad Bill Jacques!
Class of 1976
Army, 6 Years
6-1/2 years Military Police, stationed at Fort Devens, MA and Field Station Augsburg, Germany. Re-enlistment oath administered in MA by 1969 WO grad Bill Jacques!
Markus Ysquierdo
Class of 2005
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Went to boot camp the day he graduated. Was stationed in Camp lejeune NC. Worked with the border patrol in yuma in 2006. Went to Iraq Feb-Sept 2007 and July08-Feb09
Class of 2005
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Went to boot camp the day he graduated. Was stationed in Camp lejeune NC. Worked with the border patrol in yuma in 2006. Went to Iraq Feb-Sept 2007 and July08-Feb09
Michael Whitney
Class of 2004
Army, 6 Years
Served in the US Army right out of highschool was station in El Paso, Texas and Korea
Class of 2004
Army, 6 Years
Served in the US Army right out of highschool was station in El Paso, Texas and Korea
Mike Parker
Class of 1969
Air Force, 4 Years
worked in vehicle maint. . was in fl., nc.,vienam, la. discharged in 73. then was in usmc for a year and stationed in cal.
Class of 1969
Air Force, 4 Years
worked in vehicle maint. . was in fl., nc.,vienam, la. discharged in 73. then was in usmc for a year and stationed in cal.
Pablo Solano
Class of 1998
Army, 3 Years
I served in the U.S. Army as a Cannon Crewmember. I got to play with the M198 towed Artillery Gun. I went to basic training at Ft. Sill, OK. I then served the remainder of my term in Ft. Bragg, NC. I was in the 3rd/321st FAR. "Steel Rain"
Class of 1998
Army, 3 Years
I served in the U.S. Army as a Cannon Crewmember. I got to play with the M198 towed Artillery Gun. I went to basic training at Ft. Sill, OK. I then served the remainder of my term in Ft. Bragg, NC. I was in the 3rd/321st FAR. "Steel Rain"
Robert Alicea
Class of 1988
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Stationed in Cubi Point, Subic Bay, Philippines for most of my time in the Corps.
Class of 1988
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Stationed in Cubi Point, Subic Bay, Philippines for most of my time in the Corps.
Robert Boersen
Class of 2003
Army, 4 Years
Currently serving 2nd tour in Iraq. Robert is in the 4th Infantry Division stationed in Ft. Hood.
Class of 2003
Army, 4 Years
Currently serving 2nd tour in Iraq. Robert is in the 4th Infantry Division stationed in Ft. Hood.
Robert H. Alicea
Class of 1988
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Joined in Aug. 88, and after boot camp in San Diego, I went to SOI at Camp Geiger, NC, before being sent over to Cubi Point, Subic Bay, Philippines were I did my entire duty.
Class of 1988
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Joined in Aug. 88, and after boot camp in San Diego, I went to SOI at Camp Geiger, NC, before being sent over to Cubi Point, Subic Bay, Philippines were I did my entire duty.
Roxanna Hernandez Saenz
Class of 2005
National Guard, 1 Years
She serves in FT. Lewis, WA, married, and a mom...her family back home is very proud of her.
Class of 2005
National Guard, 1 Years
She serves in FT. Lewis, WA, married, and a mom...her family back home is very proud of her.
Thomas Simmons
Class of 1988
Army, 10 Years
Spent 10 years in the 4th Psyop Group (Airborne) working in Africa and Asia. Worked mostly in Somalia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Korea.
Class of 1988
Army, 10 Years
Spent 10 years in the 4th Psyop Group (Airborne) working in Africa and Asia. Worked mostly in Somalia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Korea.
Tim VanRaalte
Class of 1971
Navy, 4 Years
tour of duty in brown water navy, rivers of Vietnam. Received notorious unit citation of Vietnam service.
Class of 1971
Navy, 4 Years
tour of duty in brown water navy, rivers of Vietnam. Received notorious unit citation of Vietnam service.
Tony Jungblut
Class of 1992
Navy, 12 Years
I have serve three tours overseas in supoort Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom as a Navy P3-C Pilot and Mission Commander. My last tour was as an Advanced Maritime Instructor Pilot in Corpus Christi, TX, and I am currently serving onboard the Pre-Commissioning Unit George H W Bush (CVN-77) in Norfolk, VA.
Class of 1992
Navy, 12 Years
I have serve three tours overseas in supoort Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom as a Navy P3-C Pilot and Mission Commander. My last tour was as an Advanced Maritime Instructor Pilot in Corpus Christi, TX, and I am currently serving onboard the Pre-Commissioning Unit George H W Bush (CVN-77) in Norfolk, VA.
William Jaques
Class of 1969
Army, 15 Years
Served in US Navy 1969-1973, Separated from the military and attended CMU. Distingushed Military Graduate from ROTC. Served in US Army 1977-1988.
Class of 1969
Army, 15 Years
Served in US Navy 1969-1973, Separated from the military and attended CMU. Distingushed Military Graduate from ROTC. Served in US Army 1977-1988.
William M. Rietveld
Class of 1998
Navy, 10 Years
I am an F/A-18 Hornet Pilot, just completed training with VFA-125 in Lemoore, CA.
Class of 1998
Navy, 10 Years
I am an F/A-18 Hornet Pilot, just completed training with VFA-125 in Lemoore, CA.
Alumni Stories
Read and submit stories about our classmates from West Ottawa High School, post achievements and news about our alumni, and post photos of our fellow Panthers.
Our West Ottawa High School military alumni are some of the most outstanding people we know and this page recognizes them and everything they have done! Not everyone gets to come home for the holidays and we want our West Ottawa High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in Holland are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!