Robert James De Ruiter

Robert J. DeRuiter was an intelligent, hard-working man who often slipped under the radar. He was quiet all his life, but he didn't take for granted the value of good friends and family.

The 1940's were dominated by the events surrounding World War II. The war lasted from 1939 to 1945. Upon the return of the American soldiers many men enrolled in college on the G.I. Bill. The happy young couples celebrated their reunions after the of war, leading to the beginning of the era popularly known as the Baby Boom.

Speaking of babies, Robert was the baby in his family. He was born to Henry and Gertrude (DeBoer) DeRuiter on April 2, 1948. He came along nine years after his oldest brother Norman was born but less than a year after Jack and with a birthday only one day different from Phillip. Bob, along with Norman, Phillip and Jack, were raised in a typical middle class American family on the Southeast Side of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Henry provided for the family working as an auto parts salesman, while Gertrude was home tending to the children and the house. As a young boy, growing up on Andre Street in Burton Heights, Bob rode his bike and spent time playing with the other kids in the neighborhood. He loved to swim too, and every summer he spent time soaking in the water at the nearby Garfield Park Pool with friends. Summer time was when the family enjoyed vacationing together and each year they would spend one week at the State Park on Lake Michigan and another week on Silver Lake. Those were memorable times for the whole family. After Bob completed his education at Burton Elementary School, the family moved to 48th Street in Kentwood. The move meant Bob had to change schools, and in1966 he graduated from Kellogsville High School. He was a good student. He was academically talented and he always worked hard to do his best. His introverted personality led him to keep to himself and not venture out to do sports or attend many social functions but he did learn to play a musical instrument (the only brother who did) and he played in the Band. Bob was happy with the way he chose to spend his time. He loved cars, especially sports cars. His first car was a TR3, a Triumph Sports car, and he drove it with pride. He, Phillip and Jack all had Triumph Sports cars during the same time. It must have been in their genes.

While working toward his degree in Aviation Engineering Technology at Western Michigan University, Bob also found the time to earn his pilots license and to complete the studies and pass the tests for an aviation mechanic's license. After graduating from college, he was hoping to find a job in aviation, but those were few and far between. Instead he was offered a position with Hydreco Co. in Galesburg, Michigan designing and testing hydraulics. After awhile he was transferred to the plant in Augusta, Georgia where he worked until the company was closed in 1996. Having grown accustomed to the warm Georgia winters, he elected to stay in Augusta and took up independent contracting, working in North Carolina and Ohio. Traveling came with the position and he would often drive an hour and a half one way to get to the work site.

Bob wasn't a man you would find glued to the television for hours. He rarely watched TV or listened to the radio. He did, however, love the classic episodes of "The Twilight Zone" and those shows would entertain him from time to time. He also enjoyed golf and whenever he visited here always brought along his clubs so he could enjoy playing with his mother and stepfather who were both avid golfers. He preferred to spend his spare time at home reading up on the latest investment literature. He also loved getting advice from the Motley Fool. He learned investing strategies, got financial advice, enjoyed their money humor and found current updates and reports on important financial matters. Bob could work for days on elaborate analysis of stocks and work meticulously on gathering data and doing other necessary research. He continued his love of sports cars, purchasing and pampering another Triumph convertible. He developed an interest and expertise in computers. Recently, Bob and his friends, Bruce and Tie all worked at an internet café in Georgia. Being social and outgoing was not Bob's thing, but having friends and staying in touch with family gave him a solid foundation in life. His family knew mashed potatoes were his all time favorite and that he could be counted on to empty the bowl after everyone else was served. After mashed potatoes, he would treat himself to apple pie and vanilla ice cream. The small luxuries in life often feel so rewarding.

Last year, Bob was diagnosed with cancer. He chose to return to Grand Rapids where Jack and Marilyn and family graciously took him in to be cared for. Bob fought cancer with determination and a brave heart until he died unexpectedly on Saturday, June 10, 2006.

Bob was a wonderful son, a loving brother, and a loving Uncle to his five nieces and nephews. He was a brilliant man, with a meticulous eye for detail, a strong desire for structure and a lover of knowledge. He was most relaxed at home with family and friends and his memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Bob was a great man and he will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.

Robert J DeRuiter, aged 58, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 10, 2006 during a courageous battle with cancer. Bob is survived by his mother, Gertrude; brothers, Norman (Ulla) DeRuiter, Phillip DeRuiter, and Jack (Marilyn) DeRuiter; nieces, Tammy and Sondra; and nephews, Jerry, Eric, and Tim. He was preceded in death by his father, Henry.

The Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00a.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2006 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes - Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE. Friends may meet his family at the funeral home on Tuesday from 7:00-9:00p.m. and on Wednesday from 2:00-4:00p.m. and 7:00-9:00p.m. Memorial contribution to American Cancer Society would be appreciated. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to read Bob's entire life story, sign the guest book or archive a memory.