OBITUARY: Dr. Stanley R. Bushouse

Dr. Stanley R Bushouse of Coldwater passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2020, with his wife and five children by his side at Ascension Borgess Hospital.

Stan was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on November 17, 1940, the eldest son of Robert and Florence Bushouse. He grew up in Kalamazoo and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1958. He then went onto Western Michigan University, earning degrees of a Bachelor of Science in 1964, Master of Arts in 1969, and Doctorate of Education in 1976. He started his teaching career in Burr Oak in 1962 and then taught physics at Coldwater High School for ten years. After two years of serving as Principal at Bloomingdale High School, he then spent 17 years as Principal at Coldwater High School. Stan completed his career as Director of Curriculum and Technology for Coldwater Community Schools. In 1989 he was named Outstanding Principal of the Year by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals. Stan was a reflective, passionate, and innovative visionary who made a profound impact on education, his colleagues, and his students.

Stan served his community for more than 30 years on the Branch County Board of Mental Health (Pines Behavioral Health). He was a basketball coach and supported the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts in different capacities for many years. Throughout his life, he was a participant and supporter of the arts. He was a long-time volunteer for the Tibbits Theater, most recently involved as the Co-Chair of Kids’ Art Rocks. This year, he served as one of the Honorary Co-Chairs of the 100th Anniversary Campaign for the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra.

Stan and Judy were high school sweethearts and married November 30, 1963. Their marriage of 57 years was a true partnership. Together, they loved traveling and had visited 49 states (Alaska was next). Their travels ranged from spending eight weeks exploring Europe as a young married couple, to tent camping as a family of seven across the country, to touring South Africa together. Their journeys always included visits with family and friends along the way. Stan had a niche for finding the most unique, excellent restaurants. As much as they loved their travels, his favorite place was their home of 51 years on Randall Lake where they spent time with family and friends on the boat or around the campfire, hosting gatherings and even a wedding.

As a father, family always came first. Stan was loving, encouraging, reliable, and had exceptional patience, guiding his children in finding the right answers. They knew he would always be there for them, supporting in challenging times and rejoicing in accomplishments. He was so proud of his five kids and 12 grandchildren, never missing any of the countless field trips, sporting events, piano and dance recitals, band concerts, and ice skating events.

Stan was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Judy Staebler Bushouse; his children: Kristen Crandle of Portage, Wendy VanStone of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Steven Bushouse of Coldwater, Karen (Greg) Grogan of Westfield, Indiana, and Deborah (Jerry) Thenen of Marshall; his siblings: “Susie” Ann (Ken) Clark of Kalamazoo and Gary (Lyn) Bushouse of San Juan Capistrano, California; his 12 grandchildren: Austin, Mady, and Mallory Crandle, Jenna and Carter VanStone, Jacob, Hannah, and Grant Grogan, Xander, Luka, Garrett, and Leta Thenen; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

An in-person memorial service will be delayed until next summer or until it is safe to gather. The family invites you to share memories with them at https://memories.lifeweb360.com/stanley-r-bushouse.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in his name to Tibbits Opera Foundation, 14 S. Hanchett St., Coldwater, MI 49036; Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall #100, Kalamazoo, MI 49007; or the Branch County Community Foundation, 2 W. Chicago Street #E1, Coldwater, MI 49036.