Rev. Robert Luby

Some men live their whole lives waiting to hear their calling, never finding true happiness or fulfillment. Reverend Robert Luby certainly wasn’t one of them. Robert was a man of tradition, of conviction, of love for his family and faith in the Lord. Robert heard his calling loud and clear, a calling that echoes today in the hearts of all who knew him.

Robert’s story began on a cool spring day in 1925, in the little town of Allen, Michigan, near the Indiana border. Those were exciting times in this country, the heyday of the Roaring 20s, when Big Bands were king, and Prohibition was the law of the land. On March 31, 1925, Howard and Rena (Cronk) Luby celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Robert.

Robert was the second of the couple’s four children, joining his siblings Louis, Charles and Elizabeth in the family’s home in Allen. Robert’s dad was a part-time farmer and railroad worker, while his mother was a school teacher, specializing in mathematics.

Times were tough on the family when Robert was growing up, as they were for so many Americans during the Great Depression. The family was poor, and everyone had to do their fair share around the farm to help make ends meet. Robert remembered often toiling in the fields, picking cucumbers all day long in the summer, to make pickles from later on.

Robert went to school through the eighth grade, when he left school to help around the home full-time, like so many young men in those days. When he was a teenager, a local pastor took Robert under his wing, mentoring him and advising him about life.

It wasn’t long before Robert heard his calling to the ministry, as well, so in 1947, at the age of 22, Robert headed off to Pineville, Kentucky, to attend Clear Creek Baptist Bible College. After a year there, Robert returned to Michigan, to study at the Grand Rapids School for Bible and Music.

There Robert found more than an education, however. He also met a beautiful young woman named Annette, who was taking some classes, as well. Though the sparks didn’t exactly fly right away, the two went to see a musical together at the Civic Auditorium one evening. From that first date a love began to bloom, and the couple was married on July 16, 1948, at Calvary Church.

The newlyweds honeymooned in a little house trailer in Port Sheldon for a week, before moving back to Kentucky, so Robert could finish his schooling. A year later, degree in hand, Robert and Annette moved to Flint, Michigan, where Robert began his first ministry.

It wasn’t long before the couple became parents, as well. They were blessed with two wonderful children in the coming years, son David and daughter Sue Ann, who made them very happy and proud. Together the family traveled around the state for many years, as Robert took various ministries in various small towns.

Robert was an excellent father, very loving and caring, but also a father with a firm hand when needed. He was never afraid to be a disciplinarian, but he also instilled great character, compassion and faith in his children. He also had a tremendous sense of humor, and his kids often fell prey to their father’s famous practical jokes.

To help make ends meet, Robert also ran a small printing company on the side, as his duties as minister gave him much flexibility most of the time.

Robert was a man of many hobbies, as well. He enjoyed Country music, but only the old classics, not the “new” country we hear today. He also loved to hunt, and was a lifelong, avid hunter. He hunted small game, mostly; rabbits, squirrels, and pheasant, which always kept the dinner table full of interesting meals.

One of Robert’s favorite things to do was eat, of course. He was a decidedly meat-and-potatoes kind of man, but his simple tastes didn’t mean he liked eating cheap. He simply knew what he liked, and stuck with it, especially if it was glazed or jelly-filled! Robert loved donuts, and was quite the connoisseur of the treats. He could tell you where every donut shop was from Michigan to Atlanta! After his trademark coffee and donuts, he’d pop a wintergreen Lifesaver in his mouth, another of his all-time favorite treats he carried everywhere.

Robert finished his career in the ministry at his favorite place; a small congregation north of Grant called Community Baptist. After he retired, Robert and Annette moved back to Grand Rapids, to be closer to their family. He faithfully served the church for more than 58 years, a lifetime of devotion to the Lord.

Sadly, Robert died on Friday, July 13, 2007, at the age of 82.

Robert was a wonderful man, a man of great conviction, character, humor and humility, a man who heard his calling loud and clear. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, and a loyal servant of the Lord all his life. He answered his calling, a calling that echoes on today in all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

Robert is survived by Annette, his wife of 58 yrs; children, David Luby and Sue Ann (Jack) Cook; grandson Jason (Rachel) Orange; and great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Anna. Also surviving are brother, Charles Luby and sister, Elizabeth Bigelow. Rev. Luby was involved in the ministry for over 58 years. His funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday at the chapel of Calvary Church, 707 East Beltline NE. Friends may meet the family Monday from 7-9 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 851 Leonard St. NW. Interment in Washington Park Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions to Clear Creek Baptist Bible College would be appreciated. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to read Rev. Luby’s Life Story, share a memory or sign the guestbook