Joseph Andrew Kuiper

Joe was an avid soccer player as a young boy and then for Kalamazoo Central High School and the TKO team. Joe was a Graduate of Kalamazoo Central HS in 1989 and in addition to soccer, participated in track and throwing the discus, and was on the State Champion Mock Trial Team.

Joe graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Hope College in 1993 with a double major in History and Political Science. Immediately following graduation Joe married his college girlfriend Kimberly Breen.

In 1997, Joe graduated summa cum laude, Order of the Coif, from the University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign, Illinois. He then clerked for the Honorable Francis Murnaghan Jr in Baltimore on the US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals from 1997-98.

Joe and Kim moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1998 where Joe became an Associate at the Law Firm of Warner Norcross & Judd and was eventually a Partner. Joe retired from WNJ in 2015 following complications from two brain tumor surgeries.

Throughout his life Joe enjoyed skiing, canoeing, kayaking, camping, woodworking, and bike riding. Joe and his family spent many hours bike riding the White Pine Trail near their home in Rockford. Joe coached his 3 kids and many others in youth soccer for over 10 years.

Joe was a member of Aberdeen Reformed Church and served as a deacon and volunteer. He was a member of the North End Community Ministry (NECM) Board of Directors, volunteer, and contributor for several years. Joe was a faithful servant that professed God’s word to others. Over the last few years he spent many hours daily listening to Christian radio programs and music.

Joe was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather Suzanne and David Winch. Joe is survived by his three children: Justin Kuiper, Sarah Kuiper (Edward) Hord, and Derek Kuiper; his grandchild Henry Hord; his father Robert Kuiper; his brother Robert Kuiper Jr; his sister Shelli Kuiper; his sister Janet McBarnes, and his brothers: Doug (Lisa) Winch, Mike Winch, Marty Winch, and Ken Winch as well as many other close family members.

A Celebration of Life will take place Friday May 2, 2025, at Emmanuel Baptist Church; 1000 Aberdeen St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505. The family will greet friends from 10:30-11:30am, with a service at 11:30 am. There will be a private burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the North End Community Ministry in Grand Rapids, Michigan.