Dr. Anthony (Tony) James Nieuwkoop died peacefully in Holland, Michigan on June 3, 2024 at the age of 68. Tony is survived by his wife, Ann Nieuwkoop; their children, Andy Nieuwkoop (Andrea Marat) and Jessica Nieuwkoop (Matt Snell); grandchildren, Cooper, Charlotte, Marius, and Anders; siblings, Jo Ann Kovac (Keith) and David Nieuwkoop (Dan Lane); and siblings-in-law, Ed Miner, Grant Miner, and Colleen Sherburne. He is preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius and Ida Nieuwkoop.
Tony was born on February 27, 1956 in Cadillac, Michigan. He graduated from Hope College in 1978 with a degree in biology and earned a Ph. D from the University of Michigan in Cellular and Molecular Biology in 1985. He completed post doctoral research at the University of Tennessee. He was a professor at Hope College before moving to Grand Valley State University where he served for 25 years, ten as the unit head of the Biomedical Sciences Department. He met Ann at Hope College and they married in 1979. This August would have been their 45 wedding anniversary.
Passionate about science education he worked with the West Ottawa Science Olympiad teams, volunteered and ran events at the GVSU Science Olympiad. He encouraged Jessica to attend the GVSU Science is for Girls events in hopes she would pursue biology as Andy chose chemistry (she still decided to major in music). At GVSU he and colleagues started Student Scholars Day, a celebration of undergraduate research which has grown into a multi-day event.
He loved his summers on Drummond Island and in retirement enjoyed spending his springs and falls there as well. Ann and Tony purchased their own cabin “NieuwView” in 2012, and he found great satisfaction in all the projects to make that retreat their own. Tony found immense joy in spending time with his grandchildren, building towers, throwing rocks, and finding excuses to eat treats. An avid college football fan, Tony faithfully followed the U of M and GVSU football teams, even traveling to Alabama for three of the GVSU National Championship victories. This year he cheered on the Wolverines as they won the National Championship.
He traveled extensively with Ann and his family, visiting national parks, castles, and battlefields from the civil and revolutionary wars. During one family trip he saw all three of George Washington’s remaining tents. A sabbatical in London in 2008 led to trips around England, Ireland, and Scotland. He took trips with Ann to Europe including Berlin, Prague, and Geneva, especially enjoying visiting Andy in Berlin.
His family will always treasure and remember him for the twinkle in his eye, bright smile, and sense of humor.