Dan Kuiper

​

Dan Blaine Kuiper of Spring Lake, MI, formerly of Grand Rapids, MI, Rochester, NY and Grand Blanc, MI passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on Friday, June 16, 2023 surrounded by his family. He was born in Grand Rapids on December 12, 1932. He married Betty Lou Wiersma in 1955 and they enjoyed 60 years of marriage before Betty Lou passed away in July of 2016. Dan attended General Motors Institute and began his work career at GM Diesel Equipment Division as a design engineer. He was responsible for the invention of hydraulic valve lifters as well as multiple other engine components that he held patents on. He retired from the AC Delco Division as Chief Product Design Engineer after 40 years. Dan was an active member of the CRC Churches in Grand Rapids and Rochester, NY throughout his life. His hobbies included carpentry, making furniture, lamps, and other woodwork, and he was an outstanding photographer and architectural and landscape designer. There was almost nothing that Dan could not fix, design or create. Dan was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife, Betty Lou; sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Huber) Kuiper and Shirley (Wiersma) Veen; and brother-in-law, John Veen. He is survived by his son, Doug (Aubrey) Kuiper; daughters, Paula (Blake) De Jonge, Melissa (David) Wikkerink; grandchildren, Blair Kuiper, Christian Wikkerink, Michaela (Michael) Bruno, Caitlin (Grant) Huber, Nathan Wikkerink, and Ezekiel De Jonge; great-grandchildren, Boden Huber and Troy Huber; brother, Jack Kuiper; sister-in-law, Joanne Kuiper; nieces and nephews, Scott Kuiper, Phillip (Brenda) Veen, Mary (Eric) Ferwerda, Valarie Veen, Patricia (Wayne) Langland, Allan (Sara) Veen, and Richard (Rhonda) Veen. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW. Relatives and friends may meet the family Wednesday from 6-8 pm at the funeral home and also one hour prior to the service on Thursday.