Kuiper, Gerald L. 1941-2013

KUIPER, VANDEN BERG, SMITH, COPPLE, BOOT, HIEMSTRA, TERPSTRA

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/22/2013 at 08:31:28

Gerald Kuiper

Indianola

Gerald L Kuiper, 72, passed away following a courageous and lengthy battle with cancer on Friday, August 16, 2013 at Bright Kavanagh House in Des Moines.

Gerald was born April 2, 1941 in Oskaloosa, Iowa to Ralph and Nellie Vanden Berg Kuiper and graduated from Pella High School and Central College where he was the recipient of the Richard J. Mentink Award for leadership, sportsmanship and inspiration. He coached football, basketball and track at the Pella and Knoxville High Schools. He later became a partner in Vic Young Sporting Goods in Des Moines; was an Adidas rep and a longtime salesman for Hopkins Sporting Goods. He spent 20 years in Development at Central College and Progress Industries in Newton, and assisted in the development of Honey Creek Resort. He served on several boards, was a Kiwanis member and Deacon of his church. One of Gerald's enjoyments of life was officiating, both as a football referee over 26 years and as a track starter. His career spanned 46 years and was ranked a Master Starter. Gerald was a starter for both the Boys and Girls State Meets; a Drake Relays official for over 30 years, served as assistant chief umpire and was an inductee into the Iowa Track Officials Association Hall of Fame, and in 2006 was inducted in the Drake Relays Wall of Honor. In 2010 he received the John Lowry Distinguished Service Award by IATO. In 2012 the high hurdle event at the Knoxville Panther Relays was named in his honor. He was named Official of the Year on several occasions by the Girls High School Athletic Union. He was a highly respected starter and thoroughly enjoyed watching the accomplishment of young athletes.

Gerald is survived by his wife Nancy of 51 years and his children and grandchildren, Lana (Paul) Smith, Jay and Kaylee of Indianola; Dr. Lisa (Kenton) Copple, Kade and Carson of Waukee; Thomas G. (Tammy) Kuiper, Avery, Austin, Caleb and Sage of Pella; two sisters, Violet Boot and Norma Hiemstra; his mother-in-law Pauline Terpstra, all of Pella; five sister-in-laws and four brother-in-laws. Services for Gerald will be held Wednesday, August 21 at 1:30 p.m., First Christian Reformed Church, Pella, IA. Visitation will begin after noon on Tuesday at the First Christian Reformed Church, where the family will be present Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be designated for the First Christian Reformed Church, Hospice of Central Iowa, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union or the Iowa High School Athletic Association.

Published in Des Moines Register from August 18 to August 20, 2013
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