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Robert Needham

November 10, 2020
Portage, MI

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Needham, Robert Bob Needham, 88 years old, formerly of Portage, was finally granted his prayer to join his wife Betty in heaven on November 10, 2020. Bob was born November 5, 1932, the only child of Wilfred and Edith Needham, in Terre Haute, IN. A basketball and tennis standout, he met Betty (Debney) in the Indiana State University science department and they married in 1955. Named Athlete of the Year by ISU for his tennis achievements (an honor afforded Larry Bird 23 years later), Betty joked that he was fortunate that it was an off year for basketball and football. Bob and Betty moved to Kalamazoo in 1957, and ultimately settled in the Portage Northern area after accepting a job offer from The Upjohn Company. Bob, as well as Betty, enjoyed long careers at Upjohn, driving to and from work together for decades. Bob retired from Upjohn in 1990 after a 33 year career with roles in Quality Control and Clinical Research. Bob was, above all, a devoted husband and father. His family was truly the most important aspect of his life. He was a respected Little League manager in Portage in the 60's and 70's where he was known for his witty sense of humor and concern that his young players learned a bit about life through the game of baseball.The light left Bob's eyes when Betty died suddenly of gastric cancer in October 2014. He endured the ravages of dementia in the final six years of his life in Portage and, finally, in Grand Haven where he was a resident of Grand Pines Assisted Living. In addition to his wife, Bob was preceded in death by their son Brad in 2016. Bob is survived by children Jeff (Erin) of West Olive, MI, Kim Gunyou (John) of Minnetonka, MN, and Kevin (Brenda) of St. Paul, MN. Grandchildren are Ben, Sam (Ginny), Erica, Colin, Kyle (Rachelle) Robson, Jenna Robson, Paige Priolo (Anthony), Caitlin Olvera (Sam), Gillian, and Grant Needham. Stepchildren Nicole Gunyou Rothbauer (Jason), Emily Gunyou Halaas (Per), Alexia O'Brien and Allison O'Brien. Great-grandchildren Austin, Lukas, Lincoln, River, Max, Nora, Bror, Loanna and Adelyn. There will be a private memorial service for Bob's family on Saturday November 14th. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Ottawa Community, 1309 Sheldon Road, Grand Haven, MI 49417. www.noch.org The family would like to extend a special thank you to the remarkable staff at Grand Pines Assisted Living that provided Bob with such outstanding and loving care during his residence there. to view Bob's personal webpage please visit: https://www.langelands.com