Former Wyoming City Council member and longtime Wyoming resident Richard Kent Pastoor died Sunday, March 18. He was 79.
Pastoor had lived in Wyoming most of his life, noting in a 2016 interview that “he could remember back before Wyoming was a city because I was living here in the Second Ward.”
He served on the Godfrey Lee Public Schools Board of Education and the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Commission. In 2001, he was appointed to fill the seat of Jack Magnuson, longtime council member and former mayor who died during his term. Pastoor was re-elected three times to the Wyoming City Council serving the Second Ward.
During his 2016 re-election campaign, Pastoor said in his “We the People” segment that “I love this city. I make no bones about that. I have seen so much growth and we have such wonderful people in administrative positions in the city and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to serve you…” He said the people of Wyoming had proven that by working together, all things are possible and he was proud of the opportunity and growth within the city.
“Richard [Pastoor] was a true severant and leader of the City of Wyoming,” said Mayor Jack Poll. “His heart was always with the City of Wyoming. He did a wonderful job representing his district.
“Of the many things, it was his very positive nature that for the city and those who knew him will remember.”
At Monday night’s regular city council meeting, several council members echoed the mayor’s thoughts about Pastoor, sending prayers and thoughts to family and friends.
Pastoor worked in broadcasting and sales. He started with the Children’s Bible Hour as a teenager and later was an announcer on WFUR and WMAX. He co-hosted the Polka Pops for nearly 20 years on WYGR. He also was a longtime member of the Eighth Reformed Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret “Maggie” Pastoor, and his sister, Faith Heinrich. He is survived by his children, Scott Pastoor and fiancée, Beth Carroll, Kevin and Susan Pastoor, Deb and Bob Hoyle; seven grandchildren, his nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends.
Visitation with the family is from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4145 Chicago Drive SW, Grandville. There will be a visitation from 10-10:45 a.m. before the funeral service which will be held on Thursday, March 22, at 11 a.m. at Eighth Reformed Church, 841 Burton St. SW, Wyoming. Rev. Harry Koops will be officiating. Interment will be at Rest Lawn Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eighth Reformed Church Radio Fund. For more information or to send condolences, visit www.mkdfuneralhome.com.
WKTV takes seriously its role as a communications provider. We want our community to be well-informed and more involved in local matters. Note: Wyoming City Council seats are nonpartisan.
2nd Ward
The City of Wyoming’s 2nd Ward Council area covers the northern portion of the City of Wyoming from Chicago Drive in the north to Prairie Parkway down Burlingame Avenue over 36th Street and up along 32nd Street on the south. The 2nd Ward western border is Wentworth and the eastern border is the city limits.
Richard Kent Pastoor – Incumbent
Occupation: Worked in sales and broadcasting. Has been on the Wyoming City Council since 2001
Residence: Wyoming
Why did you decide to run for the City of Wyoming 2nd Ward?
“Well, I was appointed to the 2nd Ward back in March of 2001 and liked it, so I decided to run again in 2003. It’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever had and I’ve met some great people. I try to serve the people and I love being able to help them.”
With the announcement that the 28 West project is moving forward, how do you feel it will impact the City of Wyoming?
“Most of that area is in my ward and the people over there have always felt slighted and cheated that the City ignored them. That the business ventures stopped at Burlingame. I hope it’s something that takes off and benefits the businesses in the area. I would like to see all of 28th Street re-birthed.”
Marissa K. Postler
Occupation: Works at Costco Warehouse
Residence: Wyoming
Why did you decide to run for the City of Wyoming 2nd Ward?
“I was frustrated with Millennials engagement into politics. I want to bring more people into politics in order to give a more accurate representation of the community. With a median age of just over 30, the City Council needs more diversity to properly represent the City of Wyoming.”
With the announcement that the 28 West project is moving forward, how do you feel it will impact the City of Wyoming?
“I’d love it as long as we get the right types of businesses in. With young people taking advantage of the low housing market in Wyoming, we need to keep them here. A new 28 West has the potential to increase Wyoming’s appeal.”
3rd Ward
The City of Wyoming’s 3rd Ward Council area encompasses the city’s panhandle area that includes most of the western area of the city from Prairie Parkway on the north to 60th Street in the south. The 3rd Ward eastern border wraps around the city limits to Kenowa Avenue and its western border is Burlingame Avenue.
Rusty Richter
Occupation: Twenty-seven years as a commercial real estate broker and property manager Residence: Wyoming
Why did you decide to run for the City of Wyoming 3rd Ward?
“I’ve lived in Wyoming my whole life and so have my parents and their parents. In order to keep the solid foundation the city is built on, you have to be involved to make sure it remains sound and sensible. I’m looking to dew attention to the issues in the 3rd Ward as some people in the 3rd Ward feel left out and not a part of Wyoming.”
With the announcement that the 28 West project is moving forward, how do you feel it will impact the City of Wyoming?
“I think it’s an important project for Wyoming and will help Wyoming develop a downtown feel. It has to be competitive in growing business development and the project will help with that. It’s important to use the private sector to fill 28th Street.
Robert D. Postema
Occupation: Engineer / Part Owner of Richard Postema Associates PC, Architects & Engineers Residence: 36 years in Wyoming
Why did you decide to run for the City of Wyoming 3rd Ward?
“I am running for election because I believe I have the experience and critical thinking necessary to properly guide the decisions made by the City Council. I have consistently shown in my work the desire to fully understand an issue and make a thoughtful, common-sense decision on how to proceed. I grew up in Wyoming, raised my own family here and own a business in Wyoming. I want Wyoming to continue to be a great place to live, raise a family, and run a business. I am committed to limited government, being accessible and accountable, fiscal responsibility, strong public safety, and smart growth.”
With the announcement that the 28 West project is moving forward, how do you feel it will impact the City of Wyoming?
“The 28 West project is the catalyst that should help drive new development in Wyoming’s DDA. Redevelopment often is about momentum with new development driving more new development. The city needs to work promote the area and also needs to remain flexible enough to work with developers on concepts that may not have been envisioned in the 28 West plan but hold true to the plan’s ultimate goals.”
All candidates were contacted and invited to participate in sharing their message to the voters.
WKTV takes seriously its role as a communications provider. We want our community to be well-informed and more involved in local matters. Note: Wyoming City Council seats are nonpartisan and decided at the Aug. 2 primary.
2nd Ward
The City of Wyoming’s 2nd Ward Council area covers the northern portion of the City of Wyoming from Chicago Drive in the north to Prairie Parkway down Burlingame Avenue over 36th Street and up along 32nd Street on the south. The 2nd Ward western border is Wentworth and the eastern border is the city limits.
Richard Kent Pastoor – Incumbent
Occupation: Worked in sales and broadcasting. Has been on the Wyoming City Council since 2001
Residence: Wyoming
Why did you decide to run for the City of Wyoming 2nd Ward?
“Well, I was appointed to the 2nd Ward back in March of 2001 and liked it, so I decided to run again in 2003. It’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever had and I’ve met some great people. I try to serve the people and I love being able to help them.”
With the announcement that the 28 West project is moving forward, how do you feel it will impact the City of Wyoming?
“Most of that area is in my ward and the people over there have always felt slighted and cheated that the City ignored them. That the business ventures stopped at Burlingame. I hope it’s something that takes off and benefits the businesses in the area. I would like to see all of 28th Street re-birthed.”
Jeremy Bakken – Candidate
Occupation: Senior Director at Lambert Edwards and Associates
Residence: Wyoming
Why did you decide to run for the City of Wyoming 2nd Ward?
“I’ve been involved with the city for years as a member of the Wyoming Community Enrichment program and I have enjoyed my time serving. I joined after wanting to see a fireworks show in Wyoming and we now have one with the WY-FI event. I want to do more and help Wyoming stay great.”
With the announcement that the 28 West project is moving forward, how do you feel it will impact the City of Wyoming?
“I’m excited about it. That section has seen a lot of change and it will be great for the area and for the businesses. Visually it will look great and the new design will give people space to walk around.”
Marissa K. Postler – Candidate
Occupation: Works at Costco Warehouse
Residence: Wyoming
Why did you decide to run for the City of Wyoming 2nd Ward?
“I was frustrated with Millennials engagement into politics. I want to bring more people into politics in order to give a more accurate representation of the community. With a median age of just over 30, the City Council needs more diversity to properly represent the City of Wyoming.”
With the announcement that the 28 West project is moving forward, how do you feel it will impact the City of Wyoming?
“I’d love it as long as we get the right types of businesses in. With young people taking advantage of the low housing market in Wyoming, we need to keep them here. A new 28 West has the potential to increase Wyoming’s appeal.”
3rd Ward
The City of Wyoming’s 3rd Ward Council area encompasses the city’s panhandle area that includes most of the western area of the city from Prairie Parkway on the north to 60th Street in the south. The 3rd Ward eastern border wraps around the city limits to Kenowa Avenue and its’ western border is Burlingame Avenue.
Tamara I. Lopez – Candidate
Occupation: Lawyer
Residence: Wyoming
Why did you decide to run for the City of Wyoming 3rd Ward?
“As a lifelong resident of Wyoming, I believe it is important to give back to the community that contributed so much to my upbringing. My calling in life as a lawyer is to be an advocate for my clients and I feel representing the 3rd Ward would be natural for me.”
With the announcement that the 28 West project is moving forward, how do you feel it will impact the City of Wyoming?
“It will impact the City immensely and will bring back a part of Wyoming that used to be thriving. It will offer a distinct shopping district with stores that serve the local market and meet the demands of the city’s ever changing consumer demographic.”
Rusty Richter – Candidate
Occupation: Twenty-seven years as a commercial real estate broker and property manager
Residence: Wyoming
Why did you decide to run for the City of Wyoming 3rd Ward?
“I’ve lived in Wyoming my whole life and so have my parents and their parents. In order to keep the solid foundation the city is built on, you have to be involved to make sure it remains sound and sensible”
With the announcement that the 28 West project is moving forward, how do you feel it will impact the City of Wyoming?
“I think it’s an important project for Wyoming. It has to be competitive in growing business development and the project will help with that. It will also help Wyoming develop a downtown feel.”
Robert D. Postema
Due to a family emergency, Robert was not able to make it in to film a video message to the voters.
Occupation: Engineer / Part Owner of Richard Postema Associates PC, Architects & Engineers
Residence: 36 years in Wyoming
Why did you decide to run for the City of Wyoming 3rd Ward?
“I am running for election because I believe I have the experience and critical thinking necessary to properly guide the decisions made by the City Council. I have consistently shown in my work the desire to fully understand an issue and make a thoughtful, common-sense decision on how to proceed. I grew up in Wyoming, raised my own family here and own a business in Wyoming. I want Wyoming to continue to be a great place to live, raise a family, and run a business. I am committed to limited government, being accessible and accountable, fiscal responsibility, strong public safety, and smart growth. ”
With the announcement that the 28 West project is moving forward, how do you feel it will impact the City of Wyoming?
“The 28 West project is the catalyst that should help drive new development in Wyoming’s DDA. Redevelopment often is about momentum with new development driving more new development. The city needs to work promote the area and also needs to remain flexible enough to work with developers on concepts that may not have been envisioned in the 28 West plan but hold true to the plan’s ultimate goals.”
All candidates were contacted and invited to participate in sharing their message to the voters. Only contested races where the field would be narrowed or decided at the primary on August 2 were included.
