Forrest Fynewever's persistence made Holland more accessible for people using wheelchairs

FYNEWEVER.jpgForrest and Ruth Fynewever posed for this 2002 picture at the Amtrak station in Holland before a wheelchair lift was installed.

HOLLAND -- Forrest Fynewever's photograph, in a newspaper article, still hangs in City Hall, where he lobbied for elevators in a renovation project.

He worked for a barrier-free town: better public transportation, a wheelchair lift at the train station, a ramp at the Civic Center, electric doors in buildings, a smoother ride for wheelchairs in Centennial Park

"The singular word that comes to mind is 'advocate,'" former Holland Mayor Albert McGeehan said of Mr. Fynewever on Monday.

"Over many years, Forrest was very, very active and influential in many city issues, but particularly, those that dealt with accessibility."

Mr. Fynewever died Friday. He was 84.

McGeehan said Mr. Fynewever, a retired engineer at Herman Miller Inc., left his mark throughout the Holland area. He pushed -- but with a "bright smile" no one could ignore.

Mr. Fynewever was 2 when he contracted polio, which paralyzed his right side. Growing up, his family never dwelled on his disability. Later, he and his wife, Ruth, raised four children. Their kids just knew there were some things he could not do.

In a 2003 interview with Matthew Nickel for Hope College's Joint Archives of Holland, he recalled his early years.

He came to believe that people with disabilities were "tolerated," rather than accepted, and urged people, especially with inquisitive children, to approach.

He had no problem challenging others, particularly those in power. He insisted that curbs be cut to accommodate wheelchairs, which happened.

"And they didn't have an elevator at the City Hall. And there is no way I could get in there, and they finally built a ramp, and without electric door openers and it was very difficult to get in, and then they had a bank of telephones on the first floor, and they say, 'Forrest, if you need anything, just pick up a phone and call.' I said, 'Let me ask you a question. When you come in, do you have to do that?'"

He said "persistence" was his key to getting results.

Steve Bulthuis, executive director of Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, agreed.

"When I heard about (his death), the first thing that jumped out at me was his persistence, and very gentle way of advocating for people with disabilities," Bulthuis said.

He said Mr. Fynewever pushed to expand public transportation, and eventually served on the board for the Macatawa Area Express. Mr. Fynewever also served on the board of Lakeshore Center for Independent Living, now Disability Network/Lakeshore.

"He was very much a pioneer on issues ... of accessibility," Executive Director Ruth Stegeman said. "He was a tireless advocate. He just wasn't shy at all."

McGeehan, the former mayor, said Mr. Fynewever won't be forgotten.

"His image is hanging in City Hall, right outside of council chambers."

E-mail John Agar: jagar@grpress.com

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.