Neal Kuyper, 91

Published 12:00 am Friday, December 4, 2009

Neal Arie Kuyper was born May 21, 1918, in Carmel, Iowa, and at 91 years, passed away peacefully Nov. 11, 2009, at The Westminster Thurber Presbyterian Retirement Community in Columbus, Ohio.
Upon his return from 3 1/2 years overseas in the Army during World War II, Neal graduated from Central College in Pella, Iowa, and Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, N.J. In 1949, he was ordained at his home church, First Presbyterian in Albert Lea.
The Rev. Kuyper served as a pastor in Minneapolis, chaplain for the Minnesota State Reformatory in St. Cloud, and chaplain for the state Juvenile Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Port Townsend, Wash. He was the founder and director of the Presbyterian Counseling Service in Seattle, now known as The Samaritan Center of Puget Sound. Neal was instrumental in the creation of the Seattle Crisis Clinic and Divorce Lifeline that continue to serve people throughout the Northwest.
After retirement, Neal continued to write magazine and newspaper articles. He provided student scholarships, collected thousands of library books for The Presbyterian University in Kenya, and led a monthly Peripheral Neuropathy Support Group in Bradenton, Fla.
He had a true interest in people and enjoyed conversing and corresponding with those he met. When he was not home growing his award-winning roses or orchids, he and his wife Christina loved to travel and explore the world.
Neal was preceded in death by five brothers; and two sisters; first wife, Marjorie; and son Neal. He is survived by wife, Maria Christina Kuyper, of Worthington, Ohio; sons: Philip of Seattle and Charles of Port Townsend, Wash.; daughters: Barbara of Quincy, Wash., Kathy of Silverdale, Wash., and Ruth of Worthington, Ohio; and sister, Irene Weber, of Albert Lea; and brother, Don Kuyper, of Winston, Ore. He also leaves four grandchildren: Marty, Mindy, Christina, Aaron and two great-grandchildren, Chloe and Lola.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at First Presbyterian Church, 308 Water St., Albert Lea.
Memorials may be made to Montaña de Luz (Home for Children with HIV/AIDS in Honduras), P.O. Box 410, Worthington, OH 43085.