Bob Van Ravensway

I am sad to report that our friend and classmate Bob Ravensway has died.  I am still having difficulty with linking to his obituary.  It is in the Kalamazoo Gazette as well as the Grand Rapids Press.  You can find both of them at MLive.com. 

A Retirement Tribute to Gordy Mendels and wife Barb! Thank You Gordon Mendels We would like to take the time to acknowledge Gordon Mendels and thank him for all of his hard work leading up to his retirement in December  2014.  Gordon has been with the company for over 30 years, and during his tenure he was the VP and General Manager of Valley Gypsum Inc. for six years and was offered the position of Regional Risk Manager in 1981. For over 30 years, Gordon oversaw the largest group of GMS regional safety managers. Gordon's role called for the training and managing of Operations Managers and safety professionals. The Operations Manager's in his area were trained so well that they were able to act as safety professionals in their respective locations.  Gordon was able to easily form close bonds and develop relations with anyone. He understood the value in recognizing others' strengths and giving encouragement and accolades when they were due. All of this contributed to his success and vast levels of respect throughout the company. Throughout the years, there have been several key factors to his success.  One being the love and support of his family. The position called for heavy travel and dedication and his wife Barb, alongside the rest of his family, was there to support him every step of the way. Gordon was known for his great sense of humor (Editor's Note:  We from OHHS Class of '63 KNOW that!) and the ability to create a strong culture of safety in a well respected manner. We would like to thank him for his years of service and countless hours of hard work. We appreciate you, and thank you for contributing to making GMS what it is today! Congratulation Gordy, # 32, from all your OHHS Classmates 1963.  Hope to see you for our 55th, if not sooner! Editors, Mary Ann Sikkema Potter...Bob Seif

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Barbara L. "Bobbie" Baker

Obituary

Guest Book

• "We send our sympathy to Barb and her family. Bob knew her..."
  - Lynne & Bob Seif

View Sign

Baker, BARBARA L. "Bobbie" Age 69, died in her home of smoke inhalation in a house fire early Wednesday morning, January 7, 2015. She was born in Little Falls, Minnesota on August 12, 1945. With her military father, she spent much of her childhood in Germany; she and her mother, Barbara Baker Braendle, eventually moved to Grand Rapids to be near relatives.

 In her youth Bobbie captured many city diving championships while competing at Garfield Park. After graduating from Ottawa Hills High School in 1963, where she was a cheerleader and a competitive diver, she attended and graduated from Michigan State University in 1967. She was a member of Green Splash, MSU's synchronized swim team. Following graduation she ventured out to pursue a career in social work in New York City. What a brave move for a small town girl, but Bobbie excelled in it and loved living in the city. She worked on a part-time basis in Eddie Condon's Jazz Club famous in its day for the wonderful musicians that Bobbie came to know well. Bobbie eventually moved back to Grand Rapids to be closer to family and worked in various jobs and met and befriended wonderful people. Bobbie was a joy to know loving to laugh, caring for others, doing a nice act for someone. She was a dedicated volunteer for years at Grand Rapids Meals on Wheels.

 She was also a wonderful mother to many lucky cats. Bobbie leaves her beloved family: aunt and godmother, Joann L .Herrity from Grand Rapids and now living in Pittsburgh; her aunt Carol Lovdahl from Little Falls Minnesota, her much-loved cousins from the Herrity family and the Lovdahl family, her step-siblings from the Baker family and many other special friends. Her father, Herbert Baker, her mother, and her wonderful stepfather, Donald Braendle, all predeceased her. Bobbie's family sends love and gratitude to her wonderful caregiver, Margaret Van Polen, to Dawn Gardineer, to the nurses and staff at the Lacks Cancer Center at St. Mary's Hospital, to Heartland Hospice, to her AA friends and to all others who gave her joy of living and help through this life.

 Bobbie will be missed by many, all with wonderful and lasting memories of her spirited being. Please remember Bobbie with your love and your laughter; do a good deed in her memory. A memorial visitation has been arranged for Tuesday, January 13 from 10 AM until 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Heartland Hospice or Meals on Wheels. The family is being served by

- See more at: http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/grandrapids/obituary.aspx?n=barbara-l-baker-bobbie&pid=173789769&fhid=5484#sthash.EnlQkNeg.dpuf

Greetings OHHS Classmates.  Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.  Enjoy Part 1 of 3.  Memories of our 50th Class Reunion

 September 19 thru 22nd  2013

10 photos from Roses on Reeds Lake and Janet's Cookout!

Co-chairs,  Mary Ann Sikkema ~ Bob Seif

Ann...Barb...Sue  50th OHHS Reunion.  Photo compliments of Gordy...11/13/14

Greetings OHHS Classmates...Oct. 30th 2014

It's been 3 months since we last posted. Yikes!  We wanted to give you several Halloween "scary" photos of a few couples from our class

of '63.   We dined in Grand Rapids this past September...Blue Water Grill on Versluis Lake...Roses on Reeds Lake...Bar Divani on Ionia St.

Mick & Kay Schott...Bob & Lynne Seif...John & Nancy Maier Richard...& Phil & Jane Saurman.

Happy Halloween from co-chairs Mary Ann Sikkema Potter ~ Bob Seif

Greetings OHHS Classmates:  7/30/14

Your Editor thought you might enjoy reliving our 50th reunion from last September (2013).  This one was taken at Thousand Oaks Country Club. The lighting inside the ballroom isn't the best, but you'll be able to recognize everyone.  It's a little too long (8:36) but covers a lot of classmates.  Enjoy.  Bob Seif,  co-chair Mary Ann Sikkema Potter

ps.  Be sure to use Full Screen icon...