Calvin Kappes

Calvin Andrew Kappes, age 99 of Grand Rapids, peacefully passed into Heaven on April 3, 2023. Cal was born in Saugatuck, Michigan in 1923, and raised in South Chicago. Cal graduated from Hirsch High School in 1941, and with WWII underway volunteered to serve his country by joining the U.S. Army Air Corp. Returning to Chicago after the war ended, Cal started his landscape career as an arborist for the Davey Tree Company, and soon after, met Hope Christie and they married in 1948. As his interest in horticulture grew, Cal enrolled at the Michigan State College of Agriculture in 1951. Upon graduating, he took a position with Durrant Nurseries in Grand Rapids and was employed there until 1968. When at that time, he and Hope started Kappes Landscapes. From a humble beginning in a rented barn, Cal built the business into one of the most distinguished landscape companies in West Michigan. During his career Cal was the recipient of numerous landscape awards due to his passion for plants and creative landscape designs. Upon his retirement in 1986, he led a group of Lutheran ‘retirees’ to work on projects at St. Matthew Lutheran Church and Luther Village for many years. He was also very involved with his favorite charity, Lutheran World Relief. Cal believed his college education opened many doors, prompting him to fund a scholarship available to students studying in the Nursery Management Program at Michigan State University. Cal will be fondly remembered for his ‘sweet tooth’, a good game of RummyKub, rooting for the Spartans and Tigers, and root beer floats. He was proceeded in death by his wife, Hope; sisters, Marie Wain, Josephine Covell, Edwina Buffalo; and brother, William Kappes. Cal is survived by his children, Gary (Linda) Kappes, Holly Kappes, Jean Hall; grandson, Christopher Kappes; along with many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Kathy and Cynthia of Faith Hospice and the care givers of Aspen Court at Porter Hills for their compassionate care over Cal’s last several weeks. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, April 11, from 5:00 to 7:00 at the 0’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Chapel, 3980 Cascade Road SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, April 12, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 5125 Cascade Road SE Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49546. Memorial contributions can be directed to Lutheran World Relief c/o St. Matthew Lutheran Church or Guiding Light (Women’s Mission), 255 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.