By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
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.
