Honor Manor's first member, Welcome Ike!

In America, there are countless immigrant success stories. Each one, unique, many filled with inspiration, challenge and triumph.

Hotze Rusticus, known to his friends as Ike, has just such a story. A Dutch immigrant who arrived in America at age 15 and who, with no citizenship and no high school diploma, ended up in the U.S. Army before enjoying a successful 50-year career in construction operations. With stories like these, who needs fiction!

Before he was the founding member and first resident of Honor Manor, an exclusive veterans’ community located on the campus of American House Jenison, Ike had a storied life.

The year was 1950, and WWII had decimated Europe. Ike’s father, Ybe, a successful criminal law instructor with 40 years’ experience as a state police officer, left the war-torn Netherlands and moved his seven sons and his wife, Ruth, to America. To keep food on the table, Ybe became a laborer on a farm, and 15-year-old Ike started laying brick for 44 cents per hour. With all of Ike’s time spent working to help provide for the family, he was unable to finish his education.

Ike considered it good fortune when he was drafted at age 20. Oddly, the U.S. Army never questioned the fact he was not an American citizen. A gifted linguist who spoke French, German and Dutch, Ike was valuable during the Korean War, and the Army sped up his naturalization process. In 1955, as an E-4 Corporal, he served at headquarters for the Intelligence Department as an interpreter. While in basic training, he received a letter from his fiancé, instructing him to take a furlough and come home. She wanted to be married.

After the Army, Ike joined Hertel-Deyo Construction, a company that built overpass bridges and Michigan’s interstate highways. Ike had his eye on running heavy equipment with Louis Padnos Iron and Metal in Holland. Ike said, “I started as a grunt, and there was an opening for a crane operator, and I took it!”

Padnos sent Ike to Hope College to gain business acumen. “When I got out of there, I was Superintendent of Operations and ran the place. Incredible!” He laughs, “I started as a nothing, I didn’t have a high school degree. And look where I got to. That’s all I want to tell you, that’s America for you!” He worked for Padnos for 50 successful years.

Ike enjoyed 60 years living in idyllic Holland, Michigan. He still spends time with his two sons, daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The 90-year-old recently moved into Honor Manor and looks forward to living with other veterans on the beautiful American House Jenison campus.

“This is a very nice facility, and I hope to be very happy here.”

We all have a story. A story that taught us something, changed us and helped define who we are. At American House, your next chapter is waiting to be written. We’re here to help you write it. Your way.