Robert "Bob" Courtright

With a delighted smile and a welcoming heart, Robert "Bob" Courtright lived a life rich in family and friends. A man who never met a stranger, only friends to be made, Bob cared deeply for others. When Bob saw a need, whether family, a coworker, a friend, or a passerby, he figured out how to meet it, usually through careful delegation. When Bob was around, people knew it; he often found his way into the limelight with his fun stories, jokes, or laughs. Intelligent, wise, and quick-witted, Bob had a gift for connecting people to get things done and ensuring everyone was well cared for, with many laughs along the way. A devoted husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, coach, supervisor, and friend, Bob will long be remembered and ever so missed.

On June 29, 1958, Robert & Marjorie (Mol) Courtright welcomed their son Robert Gordon Courtright III to their family in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The second of four children, Bob grew up in the good company of his siblings, Nellie, Thomas, and Gordon. The family lived on the west side of Grand Rapids, where the roots of Bob's faith were firmly planted at the Netherlands Reformed Church. Bob attended Plymouth Christian School and West Side Christian School before graduating from Union High School. As a kid, he would go to work with his dad at DeMaat Bros Painting and clean paint buckets. He also spent some time working at Eberhard's Grocery.

Bob's passion for the outdoors began early. He especially enjoyed playing sports, hunting, and fishing. Well into Bob's adulthood, he and his dad hunted together every year. The family also enjoyed a lot of camping at Strawberry Lake near Evart, Michigan, where they sometimes spent the entire summer. Over his life, Bob enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips. Anyone who knew him as a kid is familiar with Bob's legendary sense of humor, love of the spotlight, and penchant for mischief. A class clown, he was often the center of attention and possessed a bit of a rebellious side that inspired a bit of trouble now and then.

One night, after a high school basketball game, Bob's friend offered some girls a ride home. The invitation led to Bob meeting June Wierenga, and the two soon started dating. With their hearts set on sharing the future, the happy couple married on January 20, 1978, at Fuller Avenue Christian Reformed Church and made their first home in an apartment.

Bob and June bought their first house at 258 Ann Street NE, where they welcome their children, Jason and Roberta "Bobbi." In time, the family moved to their home on Perkins NE. Bob provided for his family through his work as a supervisor for DeMaat Bros. Over his nearly 50-year career, Bob was well known for his talent for connecting people and delegating responsibilities. He knew exactly how things were to be done and ensured the proper structures were in place so that things were done right.

A big part of his role as a father involved the years he coached them in baseball and softball--many of those years with NE Little League. He had a gift for figuring out how each kid could best contribute to the team and be included, and he planned the lineup accordingly. His coaching carried on to helping Bobbi's softball team at Grand Rapids Christian as well. The family made a lot of wonderful memories camping – several summer trips to either Higgins Lake or Lake Gogebic in the western Upper Peninsula. Sundays in summer were often spent listening to the Tigers, either at home or on a car ride exploring homes for sale. Later, they hosted a couple of exchange students, Hiromi and Keiko, who became their family.

As the kids finished school, Bob and June built their longtime home on Little Brower Lake. They also traveled on their own, visiting Alaska and Hawaii, and even traveled for two weeks in a tent visiting 14 national parks and monuments. Their international travel focused on visiting Jason and family as well as their exchange student daughters. At home, Bob had his special chair that no one else was allowed to sit in, except for his most recent four-legged friend, Molly, who was just as stubborn as him.

A very social couple, Bob and June, were always busy. They enjoyed many friends together, and Bob had many friends of his own. While he made friends with everyone, he had a core group of friends from his school days, too. Bob and June often entertained at their home. Bob would find a reason to gather and loved to entertain. He frequently served tacos with some game mixed with the beef and loved to get people's reactions when he told them what they were eating. Hosting a Winterfest in their yard was a longtime favorite. For several years, Bob and June enjoyed Friday night meals with friends at Shawmut Hills Inn, and other special nights were worth a visit to the Adobe.

In time, Bob was thrilled to be blessed with two grandchildren. Sebastian and Tise were his heart's delight. Though they didn't live nearby, he loved to give sporting advice and watch their games as they got older. He enjoyed time with them when they visited during the summer or to celebrate holidays. Many times, he dressed as Santa.

Sadly, Bob suffered his first heart attack in his late thirties and had health struggles for several years. The last few years have been more difficult, and after a recent hospitalization, he was able to return home. With his number of health issues, he never knew how many days he would have left. So, while not unexpected, it was a sudden goodbye in the end.

Though our days with Bob were far too few, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in the honor of carrying his legacy of love and laughter forward. In each moment we greet a stranger as a friend, confidently face life's challenges, enthusiastically open our home to others, wholeheartedly engage in meaningful conversation, and treasure time with those we love, we celebrate the countless ways Bob made the world a better place. In this way, we keep Bob's gregarious spirit alive and inspiring others as he so inspired each of us.

Robert G. Courtright III, "Bob," age 66, of Rockford, passed away at his home on October 5, 2024. Bob is survived by his wife, June; their children Jason (LeeLa) and Roberta "Bobbi" Courtright; grandchildren Sebastian and Tise Courtright; siblings Nellie (Mike) Callen, Thomas (Claudia) Courtright, Gordon Courtright; mother-in-law, Jeanne Wierenga; brothers-in-law Bruce (Marcia) Wierenga, Carl (Mary) Wierenga, Dale Wierenga; exchange student daughters Hiromi Ochi and Keiko Watanabe; as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Marjorie Courtright, and his father-in-law, Berton Wierenga.

The service to remember and celebrate Bob’s life will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 5 PM at Blythefield Christian Reformed Church. Friends are invited to visit with his family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van Strien Creston Chapel on Saturday from 5-8 PM and on Sunday at church beginning at 4 PM. For those who wish, memorial donations to Meijer Heart Center or a charity of your choice appreciated. To read more about Bob, to share a memory or photo, or to sign his guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com