Herbert Lipschultz

Lipschultz, Herbert 7/26/1934 - 7/27/2022 Herb Lipschultz, passed away on July 27, 2022, surrounded by his loving wife and family members. Herb was born on July 26, 1934, in New York City and raised in the Bronx where he was the captain of the Dewitt Clinton High School football team. The son of Max and Esther, Herb moved to Michigan to attend Kalamazoo College and play football. While at K he met his lovely wife, LaVerne, or "Toots" as she was affectionately nicknamed by her brother, Gordie. Herb and Toots were inseparable during their more than 65 years of marriage and built a life around their children and family, while enjoying time spent with friends. After college, Herb dug his roots in Kalamazoo, where he was a passionate teacher, coach and athletic director in the Kalamazoo junior high/middle school system. He was a selfless and devoted father and husband, who loved coaching and teaching and always made time to watch his children participate in sports and their other activities. Herb and Toots rarely missed any of their children's games, made countless sacrifices for their kids and were always present and available to their family. Herb was similarly very active in his grandchildren's lives and always supported their interests. In retirement, he built a strong group of new friends that he and Toots spent time with each winter in Florida and always traveled to visit their children and their families. Herb was a model of health and vigor, maintaining an active lifestyle until the end of his life. He was constantly on the go and lived life to the fullest. In addition to his work in the Kalamazoo schools, he umpired softball and refereed basketball. However, his true passion was football, which he refereed at the high school level for 60 years through the age of 82. Herb was a staple at the Kalamazoo YMCA and loved the game of golf. He and Toots always enjoyed running into and visiting with former colleagues, students and athletes. Herb was a loyal friend, a loving father and husband, and an exceptional and supportive grandfather and great grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife Toots; children: Traci (Randy) Darrow, Cheboygan, MI; Todd (Tammy) Lipschultz, Alta Loma, CA; Troy (Tricia) Lipschultz, Highland, CA; and Tyler Lipschultz, Cardiff by the Sea, CA; his seven grandchildren: Elizabeth (Chris) Darrow Borucki, and Eric (Jesse) Darrow; Bailey and Brady Lipschultz; Nicole and Blake Lipschultz; and Cameron Lipschultz; great grandchildren: Noah and Peri Borucki, and Elias and Nora Darrow; as well as his in-laws, Gordie and Sharon Christenson, Canton, GA; and Marge Johnson, Plainwell, MI; and numerous nieces and nephews. These are the words that we think of when we think of our husband, father and grandfather: loving, passionate, disciplined, sacrificing, coach/mentor, and mellowed. We celebrate a life well lived. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Herb's name may be directed to Rose Arbor Hospice (https://centricacare.org/giving/) or the Kalamazoo YMCA (https://www.kzooymca.org/support-y). While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Herb's guestbook and/or share a memory with his family. The Lipschultz family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 129 S. Grand, Schoolcraft, MI 49087. (269)679-5622.