Earl Huyser Obituary

Professor Earl S. Huyser passed away on September 11, 2025 at the Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.

Earl was born on May 27, 1929 in Holland, Michigan to Stanley and Gertrude Huyser. On June 26, 1952 he married Barbara Lou VanKolken. They were blessed with four children, Nancy, Tom, David, and Gretchen.

Earl graduated from Hope College earning a Bachelor of Arts and continued his education at the University of Chicago earning a PhD in Chemistry. In 1955 he was called to be a researcher for the US Army at Columbia University. Having completed that assignment he continued on to be a research chemist for Dow Chemical in Midland, Michigan.

In 1959 Earl was able to direct his life to his true calling – teaching. He accepted an assistant professor position in the chemistry department at the University of Kansas. He taught General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. He had many graduate students, some of whom became lifelong friends. During his time at KU Earl continued consulting for Dow Chemical all over the United States. In addition to being a dynamic teacher and mentor, Earl was an author with many publications in prestigious journals. He wrote a General Chemistry textbook, a book about Free Radicals and was an editor for a series of books about Free Radicals.

In 1964/65 Earl was chosen for a postdoctoral fellowship to the University of Gronigen in The Netherlands. He provided for his family an unforgettable experience of living in the land of their heritage.

Earl said that he chose chemistry because it was hard and he saw great things starting to happen in the field. What he loved was history. He was able to meld that love of history with his faith by teaching Sunday School at the First Presbyterian Church and at the Presbyterian Manor. He taught the high school Sunday School and continued on to teach Bible History and Archeology in the Chapel at FPC for over 50 years. He loved putting together power point presentations using scriptures, maps and famous artwork to enhance the lessons. He continued creating power points till his death with the help of his daughter, Gretchen.

Earl had a great sense of humor and was known for always having a joke or story to tell. He enjoyed sailing, studying history and the Bible. He had a great love of classical music and grand master paintings.

Earl was preceded in death by his dear wife, Barbara in 2012 and grandson, Michael Holmes in 2014.

He is survived by his children, Nancy (Don) Holmes, Tom (LeAnn), David (JoAnn) and Gretchen (Walter) Clark. He is also survived by his granddaughters, Jennifer (David) Klingele, Christina (Michael Barber) Rynkowski and grandsons, Eli Gourley and William Huyser. He was especially proud to be a great grandpa to Melanie, Ashlyn, Bryton Holmes, Cadence, Joselyn, Zachary Klingele, Conner and Aryanna Rynkowski.

Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 19 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Warren McElwain Mortuary. The family will also receive friends at First Presbyterian Church at 1:00 PM on Saturday before the funeral. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church, burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to The Presbyterian Manor Good Samaritan Fund of Lawrence, Kansas and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.