Published : Aug. 14, 2012 - 19:29
Peter van Lierop (center) poses in front of Aeranwon, a non-profit organization for single women, with the staff during a visit circa 1994. (Aeranwon)
Peter Van Lierop, a missionary and the founder of Gyeongan High School, passed away in Chicago on July 28. He was 94.
Van Lierop was known for his relentless efforts toward improving Korea’s education and social welfare services.
Sent by the United States Presbyterian Church, Van Lierop arrived in Korea as a missionary in 1949 at the age of 31. He began his missionary work in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, and founded the Gyeongan Institute, which includes Gyeongan High School, Gyeongan Girls’ High School, Gyeongan Middle School and Gyeongan Girls’ Middle School.
He served as the principal and chairman of the board at Gyeongan Institute and also worked as a professor at Yonsei University’s School of Theology until his retirement.
In 1960, Van Lierop became the founder of Aeranwon, a non-profit organization in Seoul that supports single mothers in need of help.
Van Lierop’s funeral will be held at Bensenville Christian Village in Bridgeway, Illinois, on Aug. 23. A memorial service will be held at Andong Gyeongan High School at 2 p.m. on Aug. 22.
(lhj137@heraldcorp.com)