Edward Bolt

Edward Rhine Bolt, AIA 

September 13, 1947- March 23, 2025

Ed led a joyful and exceptional life before succumbing to cancer, which moved rapidly in the last couple of months. Born in Grand Rapids, Ed was raised in a loving family who took nurture and their faith seriously.

Ed attended Oakdale Christian School, K-9. There were times during those years when he thought he would never leave! He did leave to attend Grand Rapids Christian High School 1963-1965, followed by Calvin College 1965-1967, then transferred to the University of Michigan to study Architecture and graduated in 1971.

On graduation day in 1971, Ed received his draft notice, and was summoned for his army physical. A smashed elbow from a water-skiing accident led to the flunking of his physical. As a means to celebrate this two-year gift, he boarded a freighter to China and Asia, giving wide clearance to Vietnam. He landed in Perth, Australia, befriended two Canadians, and they drove east across the Southern Outback to Sydney. The economy was good at that time, and he found a job for an architectural firm where everyone enjoyed each other. We grew from 8 to 18 employees in one year, putting together a large project- Australian National Headquarters for the Church of England.

With that project winding down, it made sense to summon a friend from high school to “do the 2nd half” of circling the globe, by surface whenever possible. We made our way, in good health and bad, through the island of Timor, then a string of islands in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma, then Calcutta and the northern cities of India, and some beautiful time in Nepal (yes, we saw Everest!). Back into India and east through Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey. Crossing the Bosphorus into Istanbul was such a relief from the heat! We proceeded eastward through Bulgaria and into Greece and some of the islands, then northern Italy, Switzerland, France, and England. In London, my sandals were worn out, I had no warm clothing, but just enough money to fly to New York via Madrid.

The biggest and most lasting of these has been my marriage (1981) to Katie, who has made me so happy all these years. I love her without limit.

(Ed wrote all of the above)

Ed worked at many architectural and engineering firms at the beginning of his career including Prein & Newhof, and Daverman Associates before gaining his registration as an architect in 1976. He then worked for Alexander Grant, Robert Lee Wold, and Herman Miller before forming Bolt Associates in 1985. During that time, he also contracted with Ed DeVries and worked on the Blodgett Mansion. Schemata was formed in 1989 with Robert Czerew and Markku Alison. Robert Wassenaar also joined the firm for a period of time. Some of their projects included St. Andrew’s Cathedral, a chapel for West Catholic High School, an elevator for East Congregational Church, St. Charles Catholic Church in Greenville, homes along the lakeshore in Stevensville as well as additions to many homes in Grand Rapids. He also helped design homes and additions for his sisters, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends. He won several awards for his designs.

Music was a powerful force throughout Ed’s life. He played the euphonium through high school before beginning his singing career with Meister Singers at Calvin College. When he arrived at Michigan, he joined the University of Michigan’s Men’s Glee Club where he met his lifelong friend, Craig Bethune. He was able to travel much of the U.S. and parts of Europe with these organizations and participated in a choir competition in Wales which the U of M Glee Club won. On one of these trips to the Rose Bowl, he connected with another longtime friend, Tom Larson. After graduation, he continued to sing with the Grand Rapids Symphonic Choir, Chamber Choir and the East Congregational Church Choir.

Ed was also very generous with his time and volunteered for many organizations such as the Historic Preservation Committee, Grand Rapids Audubon Club and the Southeastern Utah Wilderness Association. In GRAC, he served as President, chaired several committees while adding order to meetings (a master of Roberts Rules) and humor (presenting awards while wearing his tuxedo).

Sports and the outdoors played a huge role. He was a natural athlete and loved to play tennis, water ski, downhill ski, cross country ski, bicycle, canoe and kayak. He was a member of the Michigan Trail Finders, Fountain Street Ski Club and Fountain Street Kayak Club, which led to many more adventures. The most recent being a six-day kayaking trip to the Apostle Islands National Park in August of 2024. He and Katie loved  traveling and birding together. This led to trips to Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador and Panama as well as many locations throughout the U.S. He was able to pursue his talent as a photographer through this hobby. In 2006, he was able to visit China for the wedding of his nephew, Ben Jones to Li Li. He was designated as the representative of the People’s Republic of China for the ceremony.

Surviving are his beloved wife, Kathryn Scholes Bolt; and Ed’s sisters, Norma Jean (Buzz) Van Kuiken of Ada, MI, and Marcia Ruth (Paul) Walters of Glen Arbor, MI, and Naples, FL. He is further survived by Katie’s sisters, Phyllis (Jim Nix) Binder, Caroline (Greg) Blake, Jennie Scholes, and Rosemary (Lee) Jones; and many nieces and nephews, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Orrin Anthony Bolt (2008) and Helen Mae Bolt (2015). Ed and Katie had no children, but a series of cats, the present being Tazer.

We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received from family, friends, church and Faith Hospice. You have all made a difference in this journey.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, March 28, and 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2025, followed by the service at 11 a.m. at East Church Grand Rapids, 1005 Giddings Avenue SE, Grand Rapids. Luncheon to follow. Donations can be made to East Church Grand Rapids, the Grand Rapids Audubon Club or the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.