Listen to this article
MAJORS JOE AND EILEEN HOOGSTAD |
Majors Joe and Eileen Hoogstad recently retired from active Salvation Army officership, both having served more than 35 years in the Western and Southern Territories.
The Hoogstads entered training from the Tacoma Corps, Washington, and were commissioned in 1968 with the Messengers of the Faith Session. They served as corps officers in the Southern California, Del Oro and Intermountain divisions and in the Southern Territory. They also served in administrative appointments in both territories. They retired as county coordinators of El Paso County, Colorado.
Over 200 friends, soldiers and family—including their four sons and ten grandchildren—attended the Celebration of Service held at the Colorado Springs Corps Community Center. A highlight of the service was a four part male vocal selection, “In His Care,” sung by about 30 men—mostly Hoogstads from the east and west who had never sung together before.
The Hoogstads thanked those who had mentored them: Commissioners Orval and Muriel Taylor, Majors Oliver and Geretta Stenvick, Lt. Colonel Dave Riley, Brigadier Judy Watt, Diana Shavey, Gary Larsen, Captain Yvsak Tampai, Commissioners Lawrence and Wilma Smith, Colonels George and Joy Church, Dr. Richard Holz and Orrin Smith. They credited them with giving them the courage to think and act “outside the box” and to not be afraid to fail.
Among their favorite projects were: the award-winning Bailey’s Crossroad’s Shelter in Fairfax County, Virginia; raising $275,00 to build and furnish a new girls’ home in Palu, Indonesia; L.I.P.A. (the Leidzen Institute for the Performing Arts in Fairfax, Virginia); streamlining Army property management issues; and
transitioning a Red Cross Shelter to a New Hope Center in Colorado Springs.
Regarding their various appointments, the Hoogstads stated, “They were all unique and special. It was a privilege to have had these opportunities to serve God through The Salvation Army.”
Lt. Colonel Kurt Burger conducted the Celebration of Service and Commissioners Bill and Gwen Luttrell presented the retirement certificates. Flag bearers were Major Steve Smith (Eileen’s brother) and Captain Erik Hoogstad (son).
The Hoogstads will reside at 6298 Columbus Road, Lizella, GA 31052.
