Lawrence Hoogerhyde, Sr.

Lawrence “Larry” Hoogerhyde Sr., age 79 of Kentwood, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. He was united in heaven with his Savior; his parents, Carl and Marie; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lester and Bonita Boonstra; brother, Arthur; brother-in-law, Gerald Boonstra; son-in-law, David Groenendyk. He is survived by his wife, Linda of 53 years; his children, Judi Groenendyk, Jill (Steve) Groen, Jennifer, Lawrence Jr. (Erica), and Jonathan (Laura); grandchildren, Allison and Courtney Groenendyk, Megan (Jake) VanAlten, Taylor and Eleyna Groen; siblings, Garrett (Marlene), Carl (Edna), Marie (Fred) Zuidema, Kenneth (Pam); in-laws, Jeana Boonstra, Robert (Sally) Boonstra, Randy (Torey) Boonstra; many nieces and nephews. Larry was born in Patterson, NJ. He served in the U.S. Army from September 1961 until June 1963. He attended Calvin College and graduated from Montclair State in NJ. He went on to receive his Masters in music from Arizona State University. His love for music was instrumental in leading him to teach music at Hauppauge High School in NY, Eastern Christian Schools in NJ and Holland Christian Schools in MI. He also conducted the Cathedral Choir in NJ and the Metropolitan Choir of Praise in MI. Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, December 28th at 7:00 pm at South Grandville Christian Reformed Church, 4130 Wilson SW, Grandville. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Tuesday from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Eastern Christian Schools or World Renew.

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December 28, 2016

Linda and family, We are so sorry to hear about this news. After reading what all the people have written and your own testimonies, Larry died with the knowledge that he was loved dearly here with a forward glimpse to what welcomed him. Your whole family is in our thought and prayers.

- Dave and Bev Vander Molen

December 22, 2016

Thank you, Larry, for being the force that moved my career and life in such a wonderful direction. How well I remember attending my future brother-in-law's ECHS spring concert, listening to two huge concert bands, an orchestra, and choruses, admiring the quality and quantity of the music program you oversaw in such a small school setting. How well I remember that day in your Sir Speedy print shop, innocently talking with you about how that proud program had been allowed to go to seed and what it would take to restore it. Sitting in your office, sharing coffee, talking music education from an unapologetically energetic, intellectually vibrant, and spiritually fortified Christian perspective. You spinning your web with me slowly getting the certain notion that I was being played. Meeting the board that same evening ("Larry, should I bring my resume to this meeting?") with you and Bruce Hekman and thinking "Heck, let's do this thing." How many times over those short 7 years did I imagine you looking over my shoulder - "A Charge To Keep Have I." I hope we made you proud as we built a program that could stand shoulder to shoulder with any public school music program anywhere, all the while seeking to honor the Lord of song, the God of Zephaniah 3:17, the Christ who sings. I am only sorry I didn't/couldn't stay longer. Psalm 66:2 Thank you, Larry. God rest you. Kathy and I pray that His steadfast love and mercy sustain Linda and all your loved ones now and always. 1Cor 2:9

- John J. Palatucci