Paul R Gouwens

Paul R. Gouwens, age 87, of Prospect Heights, IL passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2010. Mr. Gouwens is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, Ruth Dena (nee Verduin) Gouwens; four children: David (Sharon) Gouwens, Laura Gouwens, Lee (Mary) Gouwens, and Kay (Peter Maassen) Gouwens; four grandchildren: Sarah, Thomas, Kenneth, and Lillian. Preceded in death by his parents: John Jay and Marion Gouwens and two brothers: Harold and Willis Gouwens. A brief public Committal Service will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2010, leaving from Smits, DeYoung-Vroegh Funeral Home in South Holland, IL at 12:30 P.M. to Oak Ridge Cemetery in Lansing, IL. A Celebration of his life and a Service of Witness to the Resurrection will take place on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 2:00 P.M. at First Presbyterian Church, Arlington Heights, IL. Mr. Gouwens was born March 8, 1922; he was raised in South Holland, Illinois, where he lived until 1969. A graduate of Northwestern University, he served in the U.S. Navy in World War II in China and Korea. His career in research metallurgy included Fahralloy Foundry, Harvey; Armour Research Institute (Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute), Chicago; and the American Foundrymens Society, DesPlaines. He then founded Cast Metals International, now CMI Novacast, which he led until his retirement in 2008, working with his son Lee, who continues the business. He was a member of First Reformed Church, South Holland, where he served as an elder, followed by membership in Peace Reformed Church, Mount Prospect, IL and First Presbyterian Church, Arlington Heights, IL. Memorial contributions may be given to Clearbrook, www.clearbrook.org or 1835 West Central Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. For Further Information 708-333-7000