Robert T. DeRushia

Age 81, passed away on Sunday morning, June 2, 2024, following a short illness. Bob was born in Alma, MI, on October 1, 1942, the son of Frederick Thomas and Winifred Irene (Lynch) DeRushia. Bob proudly served his nation in the U.S. Marine Corps. He had a long career in the printing business with three locations in the Greater Kalamazoo area. Not one to retire, he worked for many years as a residential caregiver for those with special needs, first at Hudson’s Manor and then at Home Life, now known as Beacon. Bob was a serial hobbyist. He loved everything from architecture to hobby farming, koi pond development, genealogy, model trains, cartography and riding his John Deere tractor. He was imaginative and a great storyteller. He had a great sense of humor and his grandchildren will long remember the awesome tales he could weave. He had been married to Nancy McClure, and although they divorced, they remained lifelong friends and companions. They continued to care for each other in a unique way. They saw each other every week for breakfast and always did several other things together. He was devoted to his family. Easter will not be the same without his Easter baskets. He remembered everyone on their birthdays. He loved them and enjoyed spending time with them. Bob is survived by his daughter, Heather Purchase; grandchildren Gary (Casandra) DeRushia and Renae (Jeff) DeGoede; great-grandchildren, Olivia, Isaac, Theo, August, Natalie and Kimberly; sister, JoAnne (Steve) Steere; sister-in-law, Debbie DeRushia; several nieces and nephews; and countless friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Tom (Patricia) and Dave (Peggy Wiley) DeRushia; niece, Teresa “Tracey” DeRushia; nephew, Curt Steere.