Rev. Robert “Lee” Buer

Rev. Robert Lee Buer, age 87, of Hudsonville passed away at home on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. “Lee”, as he was affectionately known, lived an exemplary life. Now he has finished his race on earth and has been awarded his crown of righteousness in heaven (II Timothy 4:7-8). Lee was born to the late Robert and Marian Buer and was raised in Caledonia, Michigan. After graduating from high school, where he was an outstanding student and athlete, Lee went on to attend Huntington University in Indiana where he met his future wife, Joan Myers. Following college, Lee and Joan were married in 1960, establishing their home together in West Michigan and Lee resumed working in the family well drilling business .After working at well drilling for a few years, Lee felt called to full time Christian service. Lee decided to attend Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music for training and after graduating he began a lifelong career in Christian ministry, serving first as pastor at Emmanuel Independent Church in Comstock Park, Michigan, and then at Jenison Bible Church in Jenison, Michigan, as pastor for 25 years. Throughout his many years of ministry Lee led or served at numerous faith based organizations such as Cornerstone University, RBM Ministries, Camp Ao-Wa-Kiya, IFCA, and many other groups too numerous to list here. Wherever Lee served, he was known as a man of humility and wise counsel with a servant's heart.

Lee also loved competition of any kind and was an outstanding athlete and a consummate gamer. Whether hockey, basketball, fast pitch softball, canoe racing, crossword puzzles, Wordle, or Sudoku, Lee loved to compete and will always be remembered for his wit and “ lets play one more hand”. 

Above all, his faithful commitment to his family and those he served in ministry will be forever remembered by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by infant granddaughter, Cara Buer; sister, Marilyn Knoper; brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Joan Buer; and sister-in-law, Sharon Buer, wife of Phil. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 65 years, Sara “Joan” Buer; children, Steve and Terri Buer, Joe and Wendy Buer, Lynn and Stephon “Spike” Baird; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three siblings and their spouses; and many loving nieces and nephews. 

A private graveside service will take place at Lakeside Cemetery. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 5, at 1 p.m. at Ada Bible Church (Kentwood Campus)  2045 68th St. SE, Caledonia. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Thursday from 11:00 a.m.-1:00  p.m. prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be given to the Ada Bible Church Benevolent Fund.