Robert A. 'Bob' Donia

DONIA, Mr. Robert A. ?Bob? Kalamazoo, MI Robert Alan Donia died peacefully at his home in Richland, Michigan, on June 23, 2007. He was born to John and Minnie DeBruyn Donia on November 17, 1917, in Zeeland, Michigan. He received a B.A. from Hope College in 1939 and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in 1943. For the duration of the Second World War, he worked at the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio, doing research in chemistry in support of Firestone?s production of synthetic rubber. After the war he joined the faculty of Michigan College of Technology in Houghton, Michigan, where he taught for four years. In 1949 he moved the family to Kalamazoo and worked at the Upjohn Company as a research chemist, manager, and finally as the Vice President of the Fine Chemicals Division until his retirement in 1982. He received the Upjohn Award for Outstanding Service in 1959. In retirement he worked as a consultant on chemical plant construction in Wisconsin and China. In 1942 he married Angeline Dornbos of Grand Rapids, Michigan, with whom he shared 59 years of happy marriage. Their second son, Thomas, preceded them in death in 1990. His brothers, Earl of Zeeland and Ward of Chicago, Illinois, and sister Florence of Holland, Michigan, and his wife Angeline also preceded him in death. In 2002, he married Lila Pride, with whom he shared the last six years of his life in joyous companionship. He is survived by his wife Lila; her children Kelly and Jeff Kushner; his sister Eleanor Donia Baker, of Holland, Michigan; his sons Robert Jay of San Diego, California, and Richard Lee of Livermore, California; and by grandchildren Lisa Ann Donia of Los Angeles, Suzanne Marie Donia of Chico, California, and John Alan Donia of Livermore, California. Bob was a patriarch of his extended family, sharing with them his love of God, the outdoors, poetry, history, and the value of education. He was a valued counselor, comforter, and cheerleader to family members and a selfless, loyal friend who believed the best of everyone he met. A Boy Scout and scout leader in his youth, he embodied his scout values and Christian beliefs throughout his life. He was a quiet warrior for social justice, equality, and diversity. He will be profoundly missed by the host of people who loved him and turned to him for succor and support. He was a long time member of the Second Reformed Church of Kalamazoo, where he served as a deacon, elder, and vice president of the consistory. Services will be held 2 o?clock Tuesday at the Second Reformed Church, 2323 Stadium Drive. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcomed to the Gospel Mission or the Second Reformed Church.