Sometimes, searching old records can uncover some rather unlikely surprises!

Yesterday, I found the 1920 passport application for Garrett Vander Borgh, Class of 1916, as he prepared to travel to India.  It included a photograph (albeit rather poor quality), but none-the-less, a valuable find!

We now know that Garrett stood 6’1″, had blue eyes and light-colored hair.  He had a scar on his right knee.

His trip to India was sponsored by The Board of Foreign Missions, Reformed Church of America.

Garrett sailed from the Port of Quebec about the SS Princess Friederich Willhelm on June 25, 1920.

Here is Garrett Vander Borgh’s obituary;

Prof. Garrett Vander Borgh ’20, who retired in 1964 after 41 years of teaching at Hope College, died unexpectedly in Holland Hospital on May 15. He had served as head of the education department for many years.

A native of West Sayville, N. Y., he taught in India for a time following graduation from Hope College, and then obtained a masters degree from Columbia University.

He was a member of Third Reformed Church and served as deacon, elder, vice president of the consistory, and Sunday School superintendent. He also taught the Gleaners Class for 12 years.

Surviving are his wife, Susan Dragt ’27, a daughter, Janice Ver Heist ’50, two grandchildren, Jeffrey and Jennifer Ver Heist, and two brothers, Jesse of Holland, and Andrew of West Sayville, N. Y.

Source: Hope College Alumni Magazine, Volume 21, Number 3: July 1968. Page 29.