David Lee Nederveld

David Nederveld of Grand Rapids passed away Thursday, April 9, 2026. A landscape architect, he was known for his designs at the Meijer Garden site and greenhouse, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Meyer May House, the Philo Fuller House, the Steelcase headquarters, and many other commercial and residential landscapes.

All who knew David would agree on his kindness, generosity, and keen sense of humor. As quick with a pun as a kind word, David was a true gentleman. Some of his pastimes included playing with model trains with his grandchildren, enjoying windmill cookies, and exploring the 40 acres of woods around his former home in Lowell.

David was born at St. Mary’s in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Marvin and Johanna Nederveld and older siblings Les and Marilyn. Two other siblings died in childbirth. He graduated from Grandville High School and went on to attend Michigan State University, majoring in landscape architecture. Inspired by the works of Fredrick Law Olmsted, with whom he shared a love of nature, he always sought natural, flowing designs, often with his signature plant, the Harry Lauder’s walking stick.

David is survived by his wife, Martha McGavic, whom he married in 1983; son, Andy Nederveld, and his wife, Sharon Teska, and their daughters Sadie and Camille; stepson, Hunter Barr, and his children Pauline, Anna, Nathan; and stepson, Joel Barr, and his wife, Nora, and sons Dexter and Forrest.

The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their online guestbook.