Robert DeYoung ’50

Robert DeYoung ’50 of Kalamazoo, MI passed away on Tuesday afternoon, December 27, 2016 at the age of 91. Bob, the son of Peter and Minnie (Smith) DeYoung, was born in Holland MI on April 30, 1925.

He graduated from Holland High School in 1943. He served in the US Navy in the South Pacific during World War II from 1943 to 1946. After World War II he graduated from Hope Collegewith a A.B. Degree. Later he attended graduate schools and earned his M.A., Specialist and PhD. Degrees. He was employed by the Kalamazoo Public Schools and was Assistant Superintendent and later Director of Elementary Education at the time of his retirement. He served 30 years with Kalamazoo Public Schools. Bob also taught in the graduate school (Educational Leadership) at Western Michigan University after retirement. He served on several committees during his active years with Kalamazoo Public Schools. He was also very active in various community groups; i.e. Chairman of the Red Cross Nursing Advisory Committee, Board Member – Lakeside Residence for Boys and Girls, Board Treasurer – Kalamazoo Public Schools, Board President of the Shepherd Center, Elder at Hope Reformed Church and Third Reformed Church (Centerpoint), and Board President of the Quail Cove Condominium Association.

On July 9, 1955, he married the former Irene “Ike” Boer ’47 of Holland, MI who preceded him in death on March 1, 2012. He was also preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Helen Komejan; a brother, LT Elmer DeYoung killed in World War II; and his oldest brother, Bernard Coster. Bob is survived by his daughter, Diane DeYoung ’79 (Bruce) Callander of Kalamazoo; three granddaughters, Lindsay (Nathan) Carr, Ashley (Thomas) Majdan and Whitney (Justin) Puente; four great-grandchildren, Cyleigh and Teagan Carr, Isaiah Majdan and Emma Puente; two brothers-in-law, Ed (Bobbie) Boer and Calvin (Karen) Boer; and several nieces and nephews.

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