Robert “Jon” Harpst, 83, of Coldwater,passed away Saturday, October 31, 2026 in Fenton, MI.
A memorial service will take place Friday, November 6, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. at Dutcher Funeral Home, Coldwater.
A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Friday.
Jon was born August 24, 1943, to Robert V. Harpst, and Bettye J. Marx, in Monroe, MI.
A Life of Family, Friendship, Service and Stories
Jon Harpst was a man who knew how to get things done, make people laugh, and turn an ordinary conversation into a story people would remember for years. Known to many as “Harpo,” Jon was admired for his sharp wit, remarkable patience, generous spirit, and genuine love for people. Whether working on a civic project, coaching young athletes, spending time with family, or sharing a story with friends, Jon brought his own unmistakable personality to everything he did.
Above all, Jon treasured the relationships he built throughout his life. While his accomplishments were many, those who knew him best will remember his humor, his kindness, his endless stories, and the way he made people feel welcome.
Family and Coldwater Lake
Family was at the center of Jon’s life, and some of his most treasured memories were made at Coldwater Lake. He and his wife, Ruby, had a cottage there dating back to the early 1980s. Over the decades, it became a special gathering place for family and friends, filled with summer traditions, laughter, and memories shared across generations.
Jon is survived by his beloved wife, Ruby; his son, Jon (Valerie) Harpst Jr.; and Ruby and Dr. Howard W. Loehr’s four children, Lisa (Kurt) Miller, Curtis (Kathy) Loehr, Eric (Anne) Loehr, and Kathryn (Rich) Cramer, all of whom Jon loved as his own.
His family continued to grow through his grandchildren: Mackenzie, Morgan, and Kameron Miller; Tyler and Katelyn Loehr; Carly Warren Schuett and Jake Loehr; Alec, Nicole, and Luke Cramer; and Cadence and Bodhi Harpst.
He was also blessed with great-grandchildren: Isla and Hudson, Redford and Reese, Ava and Stella, and Stephanie.
Jon had a special place in his heart for children and took great joy in watching the younger generations grow. His patience, humor, and willingness to spend time with them made him a cherished presence at family gatherings. The memories made at Coldwater Lake will remain an important part of his family’s story for years to come.
Early Life, Education and Coaching
A native of Monroe, Michigan, Jon attended Central Michigan University, where he played football and became a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity. He later earned a master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. Jon also developed an interest in theater and performance, cultivating communication skills and a natural ability to connect with an audience.
He spent time coaching at Adrian High School, becoming part of the school’s athletic history during the era remembered as the “King Era.” Coaching gave Jon the opportunity to work with young people, share his knowledge, and build friendships that remained meaningful throughout his life.
His years in education and athletics helped lay the foundation for a career that would eventually take him into broadcasting, advertising, and public service.
A Career That Helped Shape Flint
Jon’s professional journey took him through several fields, including education, broadcasting, advertising, and government. His experience and ability to build relationships eventually led him into Flint’s civic and political community.
During the 1970s, Jon became an important member of Flint’s leadership team. He served as campaign manager for Mayor James W. Rutherford, Flint’s first elected mayor under its revised charter, and later as director of governmental relations in the Rutherford administration. As the city’s chief lobbyist, Jon worked to advance Flint’s interests during a period of significant growth and development.
Projects associated with those years included River Village, Windmill Place, the Flint IMA, the Hyatt Regency, and development around Bishop Airport. Jon understood that progress often required persistence, negotiation, and the ability to bring people together, even when they disagreed.
Those years also provided plenty of material for Jon’s storytelling. He loved recalling the personalities, political maneuvering, unexpected turns, and humorous moments that came with public life. He had a unique ability to tell a complicated story with perfect timing, finding the humor in an experience while remembering the people who made it memorable.
The Bobby Crim Road Race and Community Service
One of Jon’s most lasting contributions was his involvement in bringing the Bobby Crim Road Race to Flint.
Working closely with Lois Craig and others, Jon helped establish the race and guide it through its formative years. What began as an effort built around running, community involvement, and support for Special Olympics Michigan grew into one of Flint’s recognizable community traditions.
Jon and Lois worked together for years to organize the event, often relying on determination, creativity, and the willingness to make things happen with limited resources. Their partnership reflected something Jon believed in throughout his life: bringing good people together to accomplish something meaningful.
After moving to Coldwater with Ruby, Jon continued his commitment to community service. In 2006, he joined the Coldwater Township Sunrise Rotary Club, where he quickly became an active and influential member.
One of his greatest contributions was helping develop the club’s Promise Scholarship initiative. Jon envisioned a program that would give local students greater opportunities to pursue education and careers in health care and the skilled trades. Through his leadership and persistence, he helped bring Rotary members, community partners, and donors together to establish the program in partnership with the Kellogg Community College Foundation.
His vision became a lasting investment in the future of local students and the communities they will serve. The Coldwater Township Sunrise Rotary Jon Harpst Promise Scholarship stands as a fitting tribute to Jon’s dedication to education, opportunity, and helping others succeed.
A Gift for Stories and Friendship
If there was one thing Jon never ran short of, it was a story. He had an incredible ability to remember the people, conversations, and unusual circumstances that made an experience worth sharing. His stories could be funny, surprising, occasionally irreverent, and always unmistakably his own.
Jon also possessed a remarkable amount of patience. He knew how to listen, work through difficult situations, and maintain friendships over many years. He enjoyed good conversation and had a way of making everyone feel like they were part of it.
Whether reminiscing about his college days, coaching, Flint politics, community projects, or family life, Jon could bring the past to life in a way few others could. His humor and storytelling were more than simply entertaining; they were part of how he connected with people.
Those who knew Jon will undoubtedly remember the laughter, the conversations, and perhaps a few stories that became a little taller with each telling.
A Lasting Legacy
Jon Harpst’s legacy reaches far beyond the projects he helped advance, the campaigns he managed, or the organizations he served. It lives on in the family he loved, the friendships he cherished, the traditions established at Coldwater Lake, the young people he coached, and the community programs he helped bring to life.
Throughout his life, Jon found ways to make a difference, often by bringing people together and encouraging them to work toward something worthwhile. His contributions to Flint and Coldwater will continue to benefit others, particularly through the scholarship program that now carries his name.
His family will remember his love, patience, and joy in watching the younger generations grow. His friends and colleagues will remember his sharp wit, loyalty, and gift for storytelling.
Jon lived a full life, rich with accomplishments, meaningful relationships, and unforgettable experiences. While he leaves behind an impressive list of contributions, perhaps his greatest legacy is the number of people whose lives he touched along the way. There will be plenty of memories to share, plenty of laughter, and certainly no shortage of tall tales whenever friends and family gather to remember Harpo.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Coldwater Township Sunrise Rotary Jon Harpst Promise Scholarship through the Kellogg Community College Foundation.
The scholarship supports students pursuing educational opportunities and careers in health care, the skilled trades, and other eligible fields. Additional information is available through the Coldwater Township Sunrise Rotary Promise Program
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