Eugene G. Kuyper

Dr. Eugene G. Kuyper, age 91, of Arkadelphia, died November 23 at Courtyard Gardens. He was born on May 25, 1919 in Sioux Center, Iowa, the son of the late Christina and Cornelius Kuyper. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II, after which he attended college and received a Master of Music degree from the University of Nebraska. Mr. Kuyper was a professor of voice at Henderson State University for 29 years until his retirement in 1981. During his career at Henderson he began the tradition of the Madrigal Singers. He participated in many community and state musical productions including the Little Rock Opera Theater. He also enjoyed singing with a local barbershop quartet. He was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Arkadelphia where he was a member of the choir for 58 years including 25 years as choir director. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Kuyper, a sister, Maria DeWit, and a grandchild, Krystal Kuyper. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Adrianna, and five children: Judy Jacob and husband Charles of Little Rock, David Kuyper and wife Alice of Magnet Cove, Lee Kuyper and wife Pauline of Durham, N.C., Clark Kuyper and wife Pam of Arkadelphia, and Karen Poe and husband Bill of Marietta, Ga., 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, November 26 at Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home, 517 Clay St. in Arkadelphia. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 27 at 10 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church at 9th & Caddo in Arkadelphia with the Rev. Carroll Jackson Officiating. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the music ministry of First United Methodist Church in Arkadelphia. Sign the online guest book at www.ruggleswilcox.com.