Obituary

Remembering Robert J. Wass

Robert J. Wass, age 94, of Hudsonville, was welcomed home into the presence of his Lord and Savior on Sunday, February 19, 2023 after a brief illness. Bob was a kind and loving husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa who cherished his family. He was a strong man of faith, and a leader in his family, church, and community. Bob graduated with an engineering degree from General Motors Institute (Kettering University) and was blessed with a brilliant mind for designing machinery for many different industries. He was the president and CEO of Burke E. Porter Machinery Company for many years until he retired in 1993. After retirement, he and his wife, Marian, enjoyed wintering in Florida together, establishing many friendships there. He learned to sail at the age of 15 and enjoyed this his whole life. Many hours were spent on the water both in Michigan and in Florida. Bob was also an avid reader, something he enjoyed and passed on to his family. Above all, his faith and his love for family were evident to all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Ilene Wass. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 68 years, Marian (Goller); children, Dan and Nancy Wass, David and Kathy Wass, Deb and Mickey Dotson, Robert D. Wass; nine grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, February 24, 2023, at Highland Hills Baptist Church, 1415 Northrup Ave. NW, Grand Rapids with Pastor James Wells officiating. Burial will take place at Georgetown Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Friday from 10:30-11:45 a.m. prior to the service at church.

Service Information

Visitation and Funeral Details

Visitation

Friday, February 24 · 10:30am - 12:00pm

Location

Highland Hills Baptist Church

1415 Northrup Ave. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Funeral Service

Friday, February 24 · 12:00pm

Location

Highland Hills Baptist Church

1415 Northrup Ave. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Guestbook

Tribute Messages

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We are sending our deepest sympathy and love to the Wass family! Love, Ben & Linda Bowald & Beth Zelenka

— Beth (Bowald) Zelenka

A knew Bob. If it wasn’t for his dad I wouldn’t have had a career with GM.

— John j. Dykstra

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