Erik Kooyer

Erik Kooyer, aged 58 years, died unexpectedly on June 30, 2024. Erik was a compassionate, empathetic listener and he loved connecting with people—those he knew well, and those he did not. Possessing a special penchant for language, he dabbled in Dutch, Portuguese, Catalan, Italian, German, Greek and Latin. He was fluent in Spanish, however, and Spain held a special place in Erik’s heart. He delighted in hanging out with locals in Seville and beyond. Last year, he was able to joyfully reunite in Dénia with the extended family who hosted him when he studied abroad there in college. Erik was an adventurous explorer. He enjoyed the solitude of long hikes—and even longer bike rides—but he especially loved sharing new places and different cultures with his family, and they did so all over the world. Erik was a wonderful cook. He could prepare a delicious meal of stuffed squid at 11pm, paired with a great discussion of Gabrielle Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” into the wee hours. Many will attest, his kitchen was a place of sanctuary and respite. Erik was born in Grand Rapids, MI and grew up in the Creston neighborhood. He was married to Audrey VanOene and they have three sons: Zeke, Calvin and Pieter. Erik attended Calvin College, graduated from Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine, and completed an internal medicine and pediatrics residency at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids. Always with a heart for the poor and marginalized, he spent his first years in practice among the medically underserved on the south side of Chicago. He eventually moved back to Grand Rapids to work for the Veterans Administration and Trinity Health. Wherever he practiced, Erik embodied the best physician qualities, generously dispensing his time and knowledge, without condition, for the benefit of others. Erik is survived by his wife Audrey, his sons Zeke (Anne-Marie), Calvin, Pieter, his dog Zorro, parents William and Doris Kooyer, brothers Kurt (Maria) Kooyer and Chad (Amy) Kooyer. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at the Church of the Servant on Saturday, 3835 Burton St SE Grand Rapids. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to West Michigan Environmental Action Council (wmeac.org) or Schools for Sierra Leone (schoolsforsierraleone.com). To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Eric's online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com Burial arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Erik Kooyer, please visit our flower store.