Robert Niewoonder

Robert (Bob) ("Red") Lee Niewoonder, age 92, of Portage and Vicksburg, Michigan passed away peacefully on Tuesday., November 29, 2022 at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo. Bob was born on June 5, 1930 in Kalamazoo to Henry Herman and Harriett (Schuring) Niewoonder. He grew up in Kalamazoo attending Milwood Elementary and Kalamazoo Christian High School where he played basketball. He also attended Western Michigan University before enlisting in the U.S. Navy reaching the rank of Petty Officer Second Class, Aviation Storekeeper on the USS Des Moines. On August 21, 1954 he married Beverly Haas from Allegan. That same year he was hired by The Upjohn Company from which he retired as an Analytical Lab Supervisor after 34 years with the company. In retirement, Bob volunteered at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo helping to retrieve, repair and refurbish vintage aircraft. He and Beverly spent many years enjoying lake living, fishing, boating, swimming and raising their family. Bob spent many hours operating his vintage Century inboard wooden boat, which he meticulously restored, pulling many water skiers, tubers and swimming in "The Deep and the Clear". Bob and his wife wintered in Avon Park, Florida for over 15 years making many dear friends and enjoying recreational flying piloted by their son. Bob also volunteered for Animal Rescue Project lending a hand in their mission of finding loving homes for displaced pets. He played the role of "Uncle Sam" at a local tax firm for many filing seasons. His latest hobby was hunting for Petoskey stones in northern Michigan, polishing them and sharing them with everybody he met. Bob was very handy and helped friends and family with many projects. He could repair just about anything, lending to the saying "If Grandpa can't fix it, it can't be fixed". Bob is survived by his wife, Beverly and two daughters Robin Niewoonder Vleugel (Eric Arnold) of Kalamazoo and Judy Huffstutter (Ron) of Delton. Also surviving are six grandchildren Kristin Vleugel Masic (Dragan) of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, Erik Vleugel of Palm City Florida, Robert (Rob) Niewoonder (Michelle) of Valdosta Georgia, Sandra Ream of Florida, Michael (Mike) Nuyen (Carrie) of Portage, and Richard (Rich) Nuyen (Jen) of Battle Creek. Bob and Beverly have several great and great-great grandchildren including a most recent addition only two weeks before his passing. Also surviving is a sister-in-law Sherry Niewoonder and a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, a son Michael (Mike) Niewoonder, a sister Evelyn Burt and a brother Hank Niewoonder. Donations in his name to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo, Animal Rescue Project or Centrica Care Navigators are appreciated in lieu of flowers. (www.airzoo.org/support) Cremation has taken place and Bob will be buried with a private family gathering at Ft. Custer in Battle Creek at a later date. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert Niewoonder, please visit our flower store.