Lester DeKoster
Lester Ronald DeKoster was an American librarian, educator, editor and author affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church of North America and Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Early life and education
De Koster was born in Zeeland, Michigan, on April 21 1915. In his youth he was a champion tennis player. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy. After the war, he taught and coached debate at South High School in Grand Rapids before joining Calvin College as a member of the faculty. His undergraduate degree was from Calvin College. He then earned a master’s degree in speech from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in library science from the University of Chicago.Career
DeKoster served as director of the library at Calvin College and Seminary from 1951 to 1969. He earned a doctorate from the University of Michigan in 1964, writing his dissertation on John Calvin, and was influential in expanding the holdings of what would become the H. Henry Meeter Center for Calvin Studies. In addition to his work as a librarian, he was also a speech professor at Calvin.After his retirement he served as editor of The Banner, the official magazine of the CRC, for ten years. He wrote a number of books throughout his career, including Communism and Christian Faith and Work, the Meaning of Your Life: A Christian Perspective. DeKoster established the Christian's Library Press with Gerard Berghoef, with whom he also wrote The Elders Handbook: A Practical Guide for Church Leaders. His collaboration with Berghoef also produced The Deacon’s Handbook: A Manual of Stewardship, a work emphasizing the diaconate’s role in combining spiritual and material care within Christian stewardship. Their writings presented work as “the fundamental form of stewardship” and as a means for human spiritual growth.
DeKoster's final book was on John Calvin and the role of preaching in modern civic life.