In Memoriam

School (Dec 2020) and Basic Chaplain Course (May 2021) and travels a few times a year to perform military duty at his assigned base at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Kevin Wang was ordained to the pastoral ministry at Grace Baptist Church, Taipei in July 2021. He and his wife welcomed their 2nd son, Oliver Wang, on June 10, 2021.

Laurel Goodwin is working for a local District Attorney's office in her home state of Texas. She is currently developing several writing projects.

Reverend Salvador Martin Solis August 21, 1930 – May 21, 2021 Trustee Emeritus Westminster Seminary California

Reverend Salvador “Sal” Solis went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 21, 2021, at age 90. He leaves his wife, Amy, 4 children, 15 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Jonathan and daughter Sharon.

Sal was born in Monterey, CA, to Manuel and Isabel Solis, who had emigrated to the US from Spain. He graduated from San Jose State and Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He faithfully served as a pastor in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) for 35 years. He pastored churches in San Francisco, Waterloo, Iowa, Los Angeles and Sunnyvale, CA. In retirement he served on the Home Missions Committee of the OPC and was an important part of the establishment and growth of Sovereign Grace Church in Hughson, CA, where he remained in leadership.

Rev. Solis served for 18 years, between 1991 and 2010, on the Board of Trustees of Westminster Seminary California (WSC) and was named Trustee Emeritus in January 2013. Sal was often asked to bring the Word of God to the Board in a devotional at the meetings. Those devotional times were not to be missed. His clear articulation of the Gospel along with his caring and loving manner were an encouragement for other trustees.

The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Landis knew Rev. Solis well, having served alongside him as a WSC Trustee and as a pastor in the Orthodox Presbyterian Churches in northern California. (Rev. Landis is a graduate of WSC, and is Pastor, Covenant Presbyterian Church, San Jose, CA). Rev. Landis has provided this description of Reverend Solis:

Sal was a gentle man who had a heart of love and a spine of steel. His heart of love was seen as he cared for individuals and the congregation. It was visible as he guided interns and young pastors. But his spine of steel was equally seen when he perceived movement away from the teaching of God’s word, which he loved, taught, and believed. He was never afraid to call people back to the authoritative teaching of the Bible.

Sal was also a “churchman” in the best sense of that term. He served four congregations in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church during his pastoral ministry. His last charge was at First OPC in Sunnyvale, CA. One of his greatest contributions was in the work of home missions. For thirty-four years Sal chaired and then served on the Home Missions Committee of the Presbytery of Northern California and Nevada. In that capacity he was involved in establishing churches in Novato, Antioch, Hanford, Monterey Bay, Roseville, Hughson, Reno, and Redding. TWO SISTERS, CLOSE IN LIFE, IN SERVICE AND IN DEATH

Rena and Edna Dragt were born in Uitwellingerga, Friesland, The Netherlands as two of ten children. The entire family moved to the United States in 1950 and went into the dairy business in the Escondido area. Both sisters married Dutch immigrants who were also in the dairy business. Both couples were married at the Escondido Christian Reformed Church. Rena Dragt de Jong July 3, 1931 – May 5, 2021 Rena and Pete de Jong celebrated 63 years of marriage. They were blessed with 7 children, whom they raised in Escondido and San Marcos, CA. Rena died ten months after Pete and is survived by 6 of their 7 children and (at the time of her death) 34 grandchildren and 46 great grandchildren.

Pete, Rena and their family have been instrumental in the growth of Westminster Seminary California (WSC) from the early days of WSC. Pete was elected in 1986 to serve on the Board of Trustees and was actively involved in the seminary beyond his 14 years of service on the Board. His enthusiasm for the seminary earned him the nickname “Maximum Pete.”

Edna Dragt Brower October 23, 1927 - May 18, 2021 Edna and Edward Brower celebrated 66 years of marriage. They were blessed with 8 children who grew up in the Escondido area. In 1991 they moved north to Exeter, CA. Edna is survived by her loving husband Ed, 7 of their 8 children, and (at the time of her death) 30 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

Ed lives in Visalia, CA (near Exeter), and remains engaged in the work of WSC. Ed was called to serve as a trustee at the start of the seminary in 1979 and served on the WSC Board for 18 years, being named Trustee Emeritus in 2003. Ed Brower never missed a WSC Board meeting or Commencement ceremony for more than three decades.

His love for the seminary and recognition of its critical work has been inculcated in his and Edna’s family. This family shows their support in all areas, from the building of student housing, establishing scholarships and endowments, and giving to the annual fund.

WSC is appreciative of the support and enthusiasm for the seminary that is handed down through the generations by families who recognize the importance of preparing those who are called to serve the church. The families of Rena Dragt de Jong and Edna Dragt Brower continue this legacy of support for Christ, His Gospel, and His Church.