Stuart “Stu” Spyker, age 62, passed away peacefully at his home on June 24, 2026, after a long battle with dementia.
Stu was born on February 22, 1964, in Hastings, Michigan, to Leonard and Lois (Good) Spyker. He graduated from Hastings High School with the Class of 1982 before attending Western Michigan University.
On September 14, 1996, Stu married the love of his life, Melissa Brodie, in Kalamazoo. Melissa was the center of Stu’s world, and together they built a life grounded in love, friendship, laughter, and unwavering support for one another. Their journey took them from Michigan to Arizona, where Stu turned his lifelong passion for golf into a career. He completed the PGA Golf Management Program and earned his Class A PGA Certification. His career took them to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Seattle, Washington; and Greensboro, Georgia, where he managed prestigious golf courses before they returned to Michigan in 2014 to be closer to family and friends.
More than any accomplishment or career, Stu will be remembered for the remarkable person he was. Kind, loving, thoughtful, and endlessly generous with his time and heart, he had a gift for making people feel welcome and valued. He never met a stranger, and those fortunate enough to know him quickly became friends. His dry wit, quick sense of humor, and perfectly timed one-liners could brighten any room, and he loved nothing more than making others laugh. His easygoing nature, warm smile, and genuine interest in others left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
Stu found joy in life’s simple pleasures. Whether he was on the golf course, cheering on his favorite teams, traveling with Melissa, relaxing by the water, or working in the yard, he appreciated every opportunity to enjoy the world around him. Golf was more than a profession to Stu—it was where he forged lifelong friendships and shared his love of encouragement, camaraderie, and the game he loved. He also had a special place in his heart for the Pomeranians he and Melissa shared over the years and cherished every moment spent as their devoted dog dad.
Above all else, Stu was a devoted husband, loyal friend, and beloved brother and `son whose love, kindness, humor, and gentle spirit will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Stu is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 30 years, Melissa, and their cherished Pomeranian, Piper; his mother, Lois Spyker; his brothers, Steve (Teri) Spyker and Marv (Suzy) Spyker; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mindy and Bill Chapman; his nieces and nephews, Frank (Shelly) Misak and their children, Kyle, Joe, Sydney, and Morgan; Nick (Courtney) Spyker and their children, Malcolm and Hendrix; Amanda Lindsley; Brandee Lemanski and her daughters, Brooklynn and Madilynn; and Tanner Fowler and his son, Tanner.
Stu also leaves behind a circle of lifelong friends who became family through the years: Michael Brown, Pat Hudson, Doug Clark, Tim Shaw, Dann Howitt, and Mark Hewitt. Their friendship, laughter, and countless memories were a treasured part of his life.
He was preceded in death by his father, Leonard Spyker; his father-in-law, Bob Brodie; his mother-in-law, Micki Brodie; and his beloved dogs, Shadow and Bandit, who undoubtedly greeted him with wagging tails.