Fred Merrill Kuipers, MD, age 89, died on Monday, September 5, 2022.
He was born on November 16, 1932 to Ann Goris Kuipers and Fred M. Kuipers at Home Hospital in Lafayette, IN. Fred grew up in Lafayette, IN with his parents and younger brother. He graduated from Jefferson High School, Purdue University and Indiana University School of Medicine. After completing an internship at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, OH, Fred finished a cardiac residency program at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI.
In 1963, Fred returned to Lafayette, IN and joined the Arnett Clinic as a invasive cardiologist who would go on to help multitudes of patients with cardiac problems. He established the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, the first in this area of Indiana. He served as its director his entire 35 year career, introducing new procedures and treatments for cardiac patients, including coronary arteriograms, temporary pacemaker placements, coronary artery balloon dilatation and stent placements. He worked to establish dedicated cardiac care units within both area hospitals and advocated for nurses to be equipped to provide acute bedside emergency cardiac care. Fred felt that, in addition to his fellow physicians, nurses provided the most essential and immediate access to vital patient information and care. For many years, Fred advocated for an open heart surgical program for area patients and was deeply gratified when this program opened in 1980 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center.
Fred was grateful to serve his hometown community in his capacity as a physician, and after retirement, volunteered his expertise at the Lafayette Community Health Clinic. Because of his constant passion to find new ways to treat heart patients and to bring that treatment to the Lafayette community, many lives and hearts were preserved and healed.
Fred was a man of faith who loved the Lord. As a longtime member of Grace United Methodist Church, Fred along with his wife, took on a number of duties over the years, teaching Sunday School, youth group supporters, Foundation Board chair and his favorite: singing in the choir. Fred's deep baritone notes harkened back to his barbershop quartet days in high school.
Fred volunteered for many years with Meals On Wheels and was an active member of the Rotary Noontime Club of Lafayette. He was also a proud member of the John Purdue Club and a lifelong Purdue Boilermaker fan.
While reminiscing over his career, Fred often spoke of his deep appreciation for the trust his patients placed in him. He said, "I don't remember all their names, but I always treasured the special relationship between a doctor and his patient."
There are many people who also treasured Fred throughout his life and whom he loved and treasured in return. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Andrea; one brother; four children; one stepdaughter; six grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Fred often spoke of the love and support he felt from his family and considered it one of his greatest blessings "As I age, I feel their love and concern for me remains true and steadfast and has not waned. I don't think there is anything that could make me feel prouder."
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