Lifelong evangelist, Hans Uittenbosch, was a master storyteller and a man with a generous laugh. He is remembered for his passion, joy, servant-heart, and genuine devotion to the Lord. “I was always amazed at the way he could talk with anyone and turn any conversation into sharing the gospel, and how he could greet people in so many different languages and identify where they were from,” said a friend in tribute. Hans, 92, died Nov. 23.
Born in the Netherlands, Hans immigrated to the U.S. in 1952 on a student visa, eventually graduating from Calvin College (now University) and Seminary.
Ordained in 1957, he served two Ontario congregations: Hebron Community Christian Reformed Church in Renfrew and First CRC in Kingston, where he was also deputy chaplain at Kingston Penitentiary. In 1965, Classis Eastern Canada called Hans to pioneer a new ministry as a chaplain to seafarers in the Port of Montreal. For the next 26 years, in his trademark clerical collar, he became a beacon of light, truth, hope, and comfort to seafarers from around the world. Hans and his wife Trudy were blessed to establish the Seafarers Centre in Montreal, a place where seafarers can find spiritual care, advocacy support, and a quiet place to phone home. Hans was instrumental in expanding the ministry to the ports of Vancouver, B.C.; Seattle, Wash.; and Los Angeles, Calif.
Hans served four years as president of what was then the International Council of Seamen’s Agencies (now North American Maritime Ministry Association) and was on the boards of The Back to God Hour (now ReFrame Ministries) and Reformed Bible (now Kuyper) College. He was vice president of synod in 1983.
From 1992 to 2016 Hans and his wife took their ministry to cruise ships, sailing and ministering around the world. He also authored the book On Board With The Lord: Smooth Sailing in Rough Waters.
Hans is survived by Trudy, his wife of 68 years, three children and their spouses, nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.