Ronald John Korthuis

Ronald (Ron) John Korthuis, age 81, of Lambertville, MI passed away quietly at his home, surrounded by children, grandchildren, and his brother and sister. He died shortly after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Ron was born to John and Ada Korthuis in Everson, Washington. The family moved to Lynden, Washington where Ron grew up on a dairy farm in a large Dutch community. He graduated from Lynden Christian High School. He then attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI where he met the one love of his life, Kay Hoitenga. They married on September 4, 1954. After 3 years at Calvin, he served in the U.S. Army for 2 years during the Korean conflict. After discharge he again attended Calvin College before transferring to Michigan State University. Ron worked as a medical sales representative for A.H. Robins Company from 1959 to 1981. In 1982 he bought Rons Quick Print on Hill and Reynolds. After a successful 5 years, he sold the business to move with Kay to Seattle, Washington. He worked in the 1990 census, and with the U.S. Postal Service before moving back to Lambertville with Kay to be near family. He then worked at Quest Diagnostics before fully retiring in 1996. Family was the center of his life. Camping and boating every summer with Kay and their children was the best part of every year. As the family grew, he loved every individual with a great and accepting heart. After retirement, travelling with and to family was the focus for his time and energy. In early retirement, this was with Kay and an Airstream that was just the best. Spending winter time in Florida and California with family was precious. Second to family, he loved coffee and his coffee buddies and an occasional game of golf. He was a deacon and elder at Community Christian Reformed Church for many of his working years. He spent his retirement as a member and usher of Christ Presbyterian Church, Toledo, OH. Preceded in death by his parents and brother Denny (Bunny) and his beloved wife of 58 years in 2012, he is survived by his son Dr. Ronald (Shari) Korthuis of Columbia, MO and Ithaca, NY and daughters Sara (John) Tiede of Colorado Springs, CO and Dr. Barbara (Jeff) Watson, of Waterville, OH; brothers Bob (Diane) of Billings, MT and Verly (Marilyn) of Lynden, WA and sister Ruth Stadt of Bellingham, WA. Grandchildren are David (Tara), Erin (Matt), Christine (Tony), Alaina (Jason), Jacob (Lorien) and James, Mike and Jake, Julie and Rebecca. We all loved this quiet, gentle, giving man with all our hearts. Friends are invited to visit from 5-9 p.m. Thursday in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Rd.) where funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 18, 2015. Interment will follow at Toledo Memorial Park. Memorials are suggested to Christ Presbyterian Church or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.