Kooiker, Anthony Roy Dr.1920-2007

KOOIKER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 2/1/2014 at 16:02:58

Sioux Center News of Oct 24, 2007

Dr. Anthony Roy Kooiker, 87, of Orange City, formerly of Holland, Michigan, died Thursday, October 18, at the Orange City Area Health System Long Term Care Facility, after struggling for Several years with dementia and other health problems.

Funeral service was Monday at 1:30 p.m. at First Reformed Church Chapel in Orange City with the Rev. David Ter Beest officiating. A graveside service was Monday at the Hope Cemetery in Hull.

Kooiker was born May 22, 1920, in Hull. After graduating from Hull High School, he attended Morningside College in Sioux City and Northwestern University in .Chicago, Illinois, where he completed his bachelor of music degree in 1942. He then attended the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in New York, where he received a master of music degree in 1944. After teaching for several years at Central College in Pella, he toured the world with the acclaimed concert violinist Albert Spalding, as his professional piano accompanist for nearly four years.

In 1950, he joined the faculty of Hope College in Holland, Michigan. He completed hi doctorate of musicology at the Eastman School in 1962. After serving at Hope College for 37 years including four as chairman of the Department of Music he retired but continued to provide private piano lessons to students of all ages. Over the years, he presented concerts and piano recitals in Europe and the United States, including a concert of Carnegie Hall and his solo piano debut in N New York City's Town Hall in 1954. He also directed the choir and; served as an organist at-Hope; Reformed Church in Holland,; where he was a member, for many; years.

He moved to Orange City from; his home in Holland in 2003, to be near relatives. He is survived by nieces, Sharon; Christensen of Minneapolis, ,MN Arloa Hymans of Omaha, Nebraska, Lorna Schrier of Montgomery, Alabama, Rhonna Fiihr of. Sully and Lori Ellingson of Pella. nephews, Wayne Kooiker of Orange City, James Vermeer of Pella and Kevin Kooiker of Big Lake, Minnesota; brother-in-law, the Rev. Henry Vermeer of Pella; and by many friends, colleagues, and other relatives. A special cousin, Joyce Wielenga, visited him nearly every day over the four years he spent in Orange City

He was preceded in death by his sister, Alberta Vermeer; his brother and sister-in-law Arthur and Billie Kooiker; and a nephew, Lyle Kooiker. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.