Douglas John Koorndyk

Douglas John Koorndyk, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed peacefully into the presence of his loving Savior on July 27, 2023.

While attending South Christian High School, Doug met Barbara Doezema. They were married on August 22, 1963 – the joining of a relationship that spanned more than 60 years. She is, and will always be, the greatest earthly expression of God’s love he ever received.

He was born to be an engineer. That calling took him and Barb to Ann Arbor, where Doug graduated from the University of Michigan’s School of Engineering in 1968. For him, structures were living things; he sensed, felt and understood them in ways that few did. His projects included the Amway World Headquarters, Gerald Ford Museum, Michigan International Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and other projects around the United States. His recognized expertise resulted in him being called to inspect buildings at Ground Zero immediately following September 11, 2001.

His children and grandchildren were his greatest treasure. He and Barb raised three children and opened their hearts to three others through marriage: son, Scott (daughter-in-law, Jill); son, Jeff (daughter-in-law, Holly); and their daughter, Melissa Schneider (son-in-law, Jon). He was blessed to meet each of his nine grandchildren. The love in his heart grew infinitely when Nathan and Andrew; Noah, Lexi, Tori and Kate; and Eli, Matea and Kayelyn joined his world.

Doug’s analytical and inquisitive mind needed outlets. Over the course of his life he grew beautiful roses, baffled us all with complex logic puzzles, loved to travel, built and programmed computers, and was an accomplished woodworker. His creative mind needed outlets too. He painted, built stained glass windows, and created intricate counted cross stitch creations – including a ring pillow he presented to each of his children and their spouses on their wedding day. He was a passionate Wolverine, and on many occasions, we feared for the future of his television during Michigan football games.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret Koorndyk; in-laws, William and Gertrude Doezema. Doug was blessed to be part of a loving family of seven, and he is survived by each of them and their spouses: Bruce and Judy Koorndyk, Gerry and Cheryl Koorndyk, Linda and Bob Hager, Nancy Ellens, Sharon and John Penning, Bryan and Amy Koorndyk. He was also blessed to be part of the Doezema family, and he is survived by Chuck and Margaret Doezema, Gary and Karen VanRhee. He is also survived by 24 precious nieces and nephews.

Doug’s life was challenged by chronic pain, and sometimes his world was colored by the darkness of depression and anxiety. Through those challenges, he remained fixed on his faith in Jesus, his ever-present help in times of trouble. He ran, with perseverance, the race that was marked out for him. His quiet, long-suffering and humble faith remains the greatest legacy he will give to his children and grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Thursday, August 3 at Corinth Reformed Church, 129 100th St. SE, Byron Center, with Rev. Jim Goldschmeding officiating. Relatives and friends may meet the family on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood, and from 10-11 am at church before services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bible Study Fellowship International.