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Personal Information:  who is Gary D. De Boer?

Gary was born in the small town of  Hartley, Iowa.  He spent most of his formative years growing up near the town of  Orange City, Iowa with his two brothers and one sister. 

Gary did his undergraduate studies at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Upon completing his bachelor's degree he joined the Peace Corps. where he endeavored to teach secondary science and math to young people in Kiribati.  There is a strong Christian church in the Pacific, and it was a growing experience for Gary to see the Christian faith incorporated into a very different culture.  It was also  in Kiribati that Gary fell overwhelmingly in love with Ntaene Kilfi Teariki Tabiteuea Tungaru.

Upon returning to the states, Gary worked as an industrial research chemist for Gentex Corporation. in Zeeland, Michigan.  Gary and Ntaene had a daughter, Kaeruru, in 1991.  The family lived in Zeeland for several years before he continued his education at the The University of Iowa where he earned his Ph.D. under the tutelage of   Professor Mark Young.   

Gary's research involved the photochemistry of small molecular clusters formed in supersonic molecular beams.  While in Iowa, Gary and Ntaene were blessed with a second daughter, Kerita.

From the University of Iowa, Gary and his family came to LeTourneau where they have lived happily ever since.  

During the summers Gary has enjoyed being able to do research at NASA-Johnson Space Center and the US Air Force Research Lab in Hanscom, MA.

Then, when they least expected it, the family was blessed with a third daughter, Baneti, born April 12, 2005.  Baneti has been a real joy to her parents and siblings.

Gary's family now includes his wife, Ntaene, mother-in-law, Taara, and three daughters, Kaeruru (1991) who drew the background for this page (many years ago, she will want you to know), Kerita (1994), and Baneti (2005).  The family also has two dogs, Edgar (2006) and Moonlight (2000).