Testimony
A passionate scientist finds God
Don Spink was baptized and became a member of the Mennonite Brethren church when he was 74 years old. His life’s journey was that of a dedicated husband, father, and scientist who even today, at 85, loves to talk about his passion for creative scientific exploration.
He was born in Buffalo, New York. Years later, after his marriage to Helen, he discovered they had been born in the same hospital, with the same doctor attending, only five weeks apart.
His family moved to Rochester, New York, where he grew up. Don became intrigued with chemical engineering and received his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan.
Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he and a close group of friends entered the U.S. Navy. They spent most of the war studying and conducting research. After his service in the Navy, he and his new spouse Helen followed various jobs as he continued to conduct research for companies in the field of extractive metallurgy. During this time he also earned a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Iowa.
In 1967, Don was invited to teach and conduct research at the University of Waterloo, in Ontario, where he was immediately made a full professor of chemical engineering. One of the highlights of his teaching career was initiating a new curriculum in air and water pollution studies upon the request of his students.
No time
Don led a productive life focused on scientific research. Helen, a devout Catholic, wished for him to go to church, however, and began looking for a church in the Waterloo area that he might like to attend. Don had grown up in a Baptist home and remembered attending church as a youth. From time to time he had tugs in his heart from that early experience, but he felt there was no time to become involved in church.
One of the churches Helen checked out was Waterloo MB Church. After some time, Don began coming to church. Helen, it seemed, had made a good choice. Following years of career moves, they had settled down.
Don was attracted by the church’s “down to earth Christianity.” The pastor, Mike Frantz, became an anchor for Don as he grew in faith.
Eventually Don decided to make a complete commitment to Christ. He was baptized March 23, 1997.
Today, Don and Helen are involved in a new church in the area, Grace MB Church. They have been involved in the church from its inception.
Don describes those years in his life when he did not go to church as having a vacuum that he filled with his family and his passion for scientific research. Today he rejoices in fellowship and worship within Grace Church, and he notes that following Jesus has become his and Helen’s passion.
Don Spink was baptized and became a member of the Mennonite Brethren church when he was 74 years old. His life’s journey was that of a dedicated husband, father, and scientist who even today, at 85, loves to talk about his passion for creative scientific exploration.
He was born in Buffalo, New York. Years later, after his marriage to Helen, he discovered they had been born in the same hospital, with the same doctor attending, only five weeks apart.
His family moved to Rochester, New York, where he grew up. Don became intrigued with chemical engineering and received his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan.
Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he and a close group of friends entered the U.S. Navy. They spent most of the war studying and conducting research. After his service in the Navy, he and his new spouse Helen followed various jobs as he continued to conduct research for companies in the field of extractive metallurgy. During this time he also earned a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Iowa.
In 1967, Don was invited to teach and conduct research at the University of Waterloo, in Ontario, where he was immediately made a full professor of chemical engineering. One of the highlights of his teaching career was initiating a new curriculum in air and water pollution studies upon the request of his students.
No time
Don led a productive life focused on scientific research. Helen, a devout Catholic, wished for him to go to church, however, and began looking for a church in the Waterloo area that he might like to attend. Don had grown up in a Baptist home and remembered attending church as a youth. From time to time he had tugs in his heart from that early experience, but he felt there was no time to become involved in church.
One of the churches Helen checked out was Waterloo MB Church. After some time, Don began coming to church. Helen, it seemed, had made a good choice. Following years of career moves, they had settled down.
Don was attracted by the church’s “down to earth Christianity.” The pastor, Mike Frantz, became an anchor for Don as he grew in faith.
Eventually Don decided to make a complete commitment to Christ. He was baptized March 23, 1997.
Today, Don and Helen are involved in a new church in the area, Grace MB Church. They have been involved in the church from its inception.
Don describes those years in his life when he did not go to church as having a vacuum that he filled with his family and his passion for scientific research. Today he rejoices in fellowship and worship within Grace Church, and he notes that following Jesus has become his and Helen’s passion.
—Ken Reddig
