Bruce Bruursema

Obituary:Bruce "Buzz" Bruursema was a man who learned many lessons through good times and bad. He knew the importance of family, and he cherished his wife, his children, and his precious granddaughter. He had an open, generous heart and was willing to help anyone in need. He could always be counted on for an honest opinion and a word of encouragement. He appreciated the peace and beauty found in nature and encouraged others to enjoy it as well.

Buzz was born in Holland on May 17, 1948. The United States had recently celebrated the end of the horrific hostilities of World War II and had begun the long, difficult process of healing. Buzz's energy contributed to the active household of Clarence and Ruth (Van Dort) Bruursema and earned him a nickname. He was called Buzz because he would frequently "buzz" around the neighborhood on his scooter. Not a boy to stay inside the house for very long, Buzz loved anything that had to do with the out of doors. He especially enjoyed hunting and fishing. While in school, he played football and basketball. He graduated from West Ottawa High School in 1966.

While in high school, Buzz met a lovely young lady named Linda Baar. Buzz pursued Lin persistently, asking her to go out until she finally agreed to attend a dance with him. They never danced once. They spent the entire evening sitting on folding chairs, watching others spin around the room. It was the beginning of a relationship that would last almost forty years. They dated for a few years, and then life threw them an unexpected turn. In 1968, Buzz was drafted by the U.S. Army. He was sent to Vietnam and served his country there for two years.

The time apart did not diminish the commitment the young couple had for each other. Buzz and Lin were married in Holland shortly after his return to the States on July 9, 1970. They honeymooned for three days in Traverse City. The total cost of their trip was $72.00.

Soon after, the couple endured more hardship together. The year after they were married, Buzz's father passed away. A few years later, Buzz and his siblings lost their mother as well.

When he returned from the service, Buzz got a job working for his uncle at Holland Ready Roofing. Some years later while away at deer camp, he received a call saying he had been hired at Parke Davis in Holland. His trip was cut short and he had to return home immediately to start his new job. Over the next twenty-seven years, his company's name changed to Warner Lambert and finally to Pfizer. Buzz eventually retired as a chemical operator in May of 2003. He enjoyed his time there, especially the friendships with his co-workers.

Buzz and Lin started a family and had two children, Jon and Katie. Buzz adored them both. He loved to go fishing and hunting with Jon. They were not only father and son; they were best friends. After Jon graduated from high school, Buzz took him on a special trip bear hunting in Montana. Buzz also served as Jon's best man at his wedding. Katie was the apple of Buzz's eye. He loved bowling with her. On one occasion he traveled with Katie to Peru to work in an orphanage. The time together was precious. Katie saw a side of Buzz that she hadn't seen before. When they began walking into the jungle, the sights, sounds, and smells so reminded Buzz of his time in Vietnam that he was unable to continue for a time. He, like so many other veterans, still carried wounds from that conflict that couldn't be seen on the outside.

Vacations were very important to Buzz. When the children were young, the family went on a Disney Cruise. He especially enjoyed their trip to Lake Gogebic in the western Upper Peninsula. They loved it so much that they talked Lin's family into going there as well. It became a regular travel stop for them. Buzz and Lin appreciated the natural beauty and open spaces of Alaska. They traveled there three times, including an Alaskan cruise in 2000 where they renewed their wedding vows on their thirtieth anniversary. In 2002 they flew there with Katie, Jon and his wife Kristi, to visit Buzz’s nephew Ryan and his family. They rented a motor home and spent two weeks traveling around the state.

Buzz had many interests and was not one to sit around waiting for things to happen. He liked listening to the oldies on 107.3. His favorite song was "Mr. Bojangles" or anything by Elvis. Always on the lookout for hunting tips and big fish stories, he made sure the television was usually tuned to the Outdoor Channel, occasionally opting for the Weather Channel to see if it was going to be a good hunting or fishing day. He did most of the cooking at home and loved starting off Christmas day with his famous omelets. He could catch, clean, and cook anything and the family had countless meals of flavorful grilled venison and fresh fish.

One of Buzz's favorite pastimes was bowling. He bowled in several local leagues and was on the board of directors for the Greater Holland Bowling Association. He participated in tournaments throughout Michigan and many other states. He came heartbreakingly close to a perfect game, rolling a 298 and a 299. He earned many plaques representing eleven strikes in a row. He had just attained his highest three-game average this season. One of his goals was to teach his granddaughter Rhianna how to bowl left-handed.

The peaceful solitude of northern Michigan held a special charm for Buzz. In 1987, he and Lin bought a cabin near Fife Lake. The entire family would go up north at least every other weekend. In 2000 they bought a home on the Manistee River near Kalkaska. Buzz used it during hunting season, but the couple also planned on making it their retirement home. Buzz called it his Little Piece of Heaven. After his retirement, he spent almost all of his time there. Lin would join him every weekend. He treasured his sixteen-foot Lund boat. Buzz loved feeding and photographing animals. Nature offered him endless hours of peace and enjoyment.

Buzz is survived by his wife of thirty-three years, Lin; two children, Jon (Kristi) Bruursema and Katie Bruursema, both of Zeeland; one granddaughter, Rhianna Bruursema; three brothers and a sister, Randy Bruursema of Africa, Pati (Mark) Bekken of Saugatuck, Brad Bruursema of Grand Haven, and Tom (Tracy) Bruursema of Holland; father-in-law Herb Baar of Holland; sisters-in-law Sandy (Jack) Garvelink of Holland and Cathy (Bob) Johnson of Zeeland; a special uncle and aunt, Jim and Peach Bagladi of Holland; and several uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Buzz passed away on Friday, April 2, 2004, in Kalkaska Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Ruth, and by his mother-in-law, Evie Baar. Buzz was fifty-five.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, April 6, from 2 - 4 PM and from 7 - 9 PM at the Northwood Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes, 295 Douglas Avenue. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:30 PM on Wednesday, April 7, at the Community Reformed Church, Dr. Dann Stouten officiating. Burial will be in Zeeland Cemetery. To read Buzz's complete life story, share a memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to the Greater Holland Bowling Association Youth Scholarship Fund, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.

Buzz made it a point to take advantage of opportunities that came his way and always lived life to its fullest. He was very proud of his family and all of their accomplishments. Although they will miss him, he leaves his loved ones with sweet memories of his honesty, love, and shared moments.