Robert Wayne Spica

Robert Wayne Spica, age 62, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 9, 2023. He was the much-loved son of Joseph and Marilyn Spica of Kentwood and Palmetto, Florida. Rob is survived by his wife of 41 years, Beth (Ehle); daughters, Amanda and Chad Hoop, Molly and Adam Hesselink, Jenna and Jacob Kape, all of Byron Center; son, Vincent (Kiersten Carlson) Spica of Minneapolis, Minnesota; his mother and closest confidant, Marilyn Spica; beloved brother and life-long business partner, Fred and Julie Spica of Caledonia; sisters, MaryJo and Gerry Harig, Sara and Mark Hoogerhyde of Palmetto, Florida; mother-in-law, Joyce Ehle; sisters-in-law, Kay Powell, Vicky Ehle of Sheridan; brother-in-law, Ty and Chris Ehle of Long Beach, Mississippi; so very many, many nieces and nephews - all whom he loved with great pride. Rob’s most favorite role in life was “Pa” to his loved and cherished granddaughters, Claire, Marian, Stella, Sophie, Haddie; and his pride and joy grandsons, Julian “Buddy”, Joey, Jeremiah, Jack. He will also be remembered by his very close friends, Norm and Pam VanDeRoer of Byron Center, Phil and Kayce Squires of Dorr; and his two Priests whom he loved, Fr. Loc and Fr. Eduardo. Rob was preceded in death by his loving father, Joseph Spica; father-in-law, Fred Ehle of Sidney; grandparents, Fortunato and Katherine Spica, Wayne and Pearl Globensky.

Rob was an entrepreneur, philanthropist, builder, fisherman, and gracious host. He lived his later years splitting his time between Green Lake, Michigan and San Pedro, Belize. He was also a faithful parishioner of Holy Family Catholic Church in Caledonia and San Pedro Catholic Church in Belize.

Rob and Fred, along with their wives Beth and Julie, were the owners of The Bun Basket Bakery in Grand Rapids from 1981 to 2001. They started their small family business using recipes from the previous generations of family bakers. The business flourished under decades of steadfast leadership and they considered their several hundred employees an extension of their own family. After selling the business in 2001, they began to build residential and commercial properties together in Kentwood, Wyoming, and Byron Center. Rob loved to work hard and watch things grow. He often supported other young entrepreneurs and small business owners as they started out.

Rob knew he had been blessed with so much and with that came the desire and obligation to share with others. He partnered with charities in the U.S. and Belize, providing financial support and also using his gifts and skills to lead building projects and give business advice. He and Beth came together with Fred and Julie again in 2013 to begin the International Promise Foundation which supports the Samaritan Children’s Home in Bangladesh. This charity now supports over 450 young people in the home, using child sponsorships to connect donors with a child directly to harbor a relationship and to meet their basic needs.

Rob loved to have fun, creating opportunities for his kids, grandkids, and friends to play together at his home or on vacations. He was the expert builder of play sets and sandcastles, the instigator of squirt gun fights, the mastermind for all kinds of wild excursions, and always wanted those he hosted to enjoy their time at his home. He loved a great day on the water with his dear friend, “Cap’n Ali” in Belize and coming home with a pile of snapper or traps full of lobster.

His big smile, like the man himself, will never be forgotten and we pray that he finally gets some rest.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 14 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9669 Kraft Avenue SE, Caledonia, with Fr. Loc Trinh officiating. Relatives and friends may meet the family on Friday, October 13 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Kentwood. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to the International Promise Foundation to continue the work Rob was a part of.