Description: Stephen J. Hiemstra (PhD agricultural economics) chronicles his early life, schooling, military service, and civilian service in the federal government. Stephen is a professor emeritus at Purdue University and a federal retiree who worked in USDA and the Carter White House. ISNI: 0000-0000-2990-6376
Brief description: John Elmer Hiemstra is a native of Oskaloosa, Iowa. He received his bachelor's degree from Central College, the Masters of Divinity from the New Brunswick Theological Seminary and the Doctor of Education from Rutgers University. He was ordained as a Minster of the Word and Sacrament by the Reformed Church in America in 1955 and has served as a minister until 2015. He is married to Norma Franklin, RN, also from Oskaloosa, Iowa. They have four daughters, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. They live in West Nyack, NY. John became an Executive Minister for the Reformed Church's Stewardship Council in 1964, the Executive for North American Mission in 1968, the National Director for United Ministries in 1972 and the Executive Minister of the Synod of New York, Reformed Church in America in 1979. From 1994 until 2008 he was the Executive Director of the Council of Churches of the City of New York. He was the Director of the Council's Caregiver Project formed after the 9/11 attack.. While serving in pastorates, he has served as a chaplain in several hospitals and nursing homes. He is a certified chaplain with certification in Clinical Pastoral Education, (CPE). He served as the Council's Chaplain Certification Officer for several years. His hobbies include flying, photography and traveling. Among his specialties are church relations with churches in Russia, Korea, the Middle East and China where he has visited on several occasions, often leading a group of church leaders. John has also received the Man of the Year Award from the Junior Chamber of Commerce, served as President of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America, as President of the New York State Council of Churches and as President of the Classis of the Greater Palisades of the Reformed Church. He has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Central College in Pella, Iowa. He is listed in Who's Who In America 2007 edition. September, 2016
Review Quotes: Stephen J. Hiemstra's My Travel Through Life brings back wonderful memories of the formative times in U.S. food policies and programs, and the people involved. Those who were active in agricultural economics from the 1960s to the end of the century are reminded that this creative period saw the birth pangs, growth and refinement of food programs that are taken for granted by many today. For most of those programs, Hiemstra was present at the creation, preparing the necessary preliminary research, analyzing options, evaluating results, advising policy makers and informing important audiences. His role in the evolution of USDA's programs that now feed millions of Americans should not be understated. There is much more to learn and enjoy in this very readable journey of a very productive life." Dr. John E. Lee, Jr. retired Administrator of USDA's Economic Research Service and Professor Emeritus, Mississippi State University. I remember my nephew Stephen as a handsome and well mannered young man. I knew he would be successful as he grew up with good Christian parents. After he married Hazel, they would always visit John and I on the farm when they came to Iowa. I normally served coffee time which included my homemade buns. I always enjoyed Stephen and Hazel, and appreciated their visits. Aunt Leona (Hiemstra) TerLouw Pella, Iowa As we learned from Dr. Stephen J. Hiemstra, life is a journey where we travel from moment to moment, from research to education, from government to university, from discovery to discovery. As one of his first doctoral students, I caught his passion for the journey, his passion for research, his passion to live life in its fullest-it was an honor to have been his student. For me, he was a role model and a mentor that I will never forget. Hailin Qu, Ph.D. Regents Professor & William E. Davis Distinguished Chair Director of the Center for Hospitality & Tourism Research School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration Oklahoma State University Stephen Hiemstra's accomplishments are overshadowed by the care he showed as a father, husband, mentor, and colleague. His autobiography shows his journey throughout his life, how his life work touched the lives of thousands, and his contributions to his discipline, government, and organizations that he committed his professional life. Dr. Hiemstra was a brilliant thinker and problem solver, who was patient with those who didn't have his intellect. He was also a man of God, a statesman, a leader, and, more importantly, my friend. Dr. Carl A. Boger Jr. Professor, Clinton L. Rappole Endowed Chair College of Hotel and Restaurant Management University of Houston Dr. Stephen Hiemstra was my advisor during my doctoral program at Purdue University and I would like to thank him for his dedication in helping me begin my own career as a hospitality researcher. He is a real gentleman who invited doctoral students to his house for dinner, a practice which I have continued with my own students. Dr. Woody G. Kim Professor, Robert H. Dedman Professor of Hospitality Management Director of Graduate Studies and of the International Center for Hospitality Research and Development College of Business, Florida State University Dr. Hiemstra is a great example of the value to society (and for himself) of higher education, made possible for many through the land grant university system. His impact on society through his work at Purdue University and the United States Department of Agriculture will be long remembered. Dr. Neil E. Harl Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture Emeritus Professor of Economics, Member, Iowa Bar Former Director, Center for International Agricultural Finance