02/15/2025
Rev. F. Robert Ruyts, age 88, took his final journey to heaven on February 13, 2025, surrounded by his family, at the Isabella County Medical Care Facility in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Bob was born on January 1, 1937, in Saginaw, Michigan to Frank Joseph and Catherine Adele (Voise) Ruyts. He was the oldest of four children and big brother to three sisters. He grew up in Saginaw, graduating from Saginaw High School in 1956. While in high school, he worked for Princing’s Drug Store, later starting at the B&O, C&O railroad, Saginaw yard, where he became a journeyman switchman. His first love was a new pink and white Crown Victoria convertible with bubble skirts and wide whitewall tires.
After high school, Bob enlisted in the United State Air Force, where he served as a Chaplain’s assistant until he was honorably discharged in 1959. He returned to the railroad until leaving for seminary in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada, in 1966. Two daughters were born during his marriage to Janice Anne Smith of Homer, New York. He attended the University of Detroit, earning a Bachelor Degree in Social Work in 1972. Further educational pursuits led him to obtain a Master’s Degree in Theology from Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois.
In 1970, after feeling the call to become a minister, he became pastor of the Church of the Brethren in Harper Woods, Michigan where he earned his ordination. His career as a pastor took him in a variety of directions in several denominations, including Church of the Brethren, American Baptist, and Church of God. He dedicated his life to God and to helping people, continuing to positively impact everyone he met until his final breath.
He married Janice K. (Cummings) Campbell on July 4, 1981 and added two sons to the family. They started a successful custodial service in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and pastored churches concurrently for many years.
Bob is survived by his wife, Jani Ruyts, Mt. Pleasant, MI; two daughters, Carole Sue Ruyts, Cortland, NY, and Rebekah Anne Young (Thomas), Saginaw, MI; two sons, Randy Campbell(Kelly), Rosebush, MI, Ronald Campbell (Jodi), Mt. Pleasant, MI; two sisters , Judy Robertson (Duane), Burt, MI and Carole Chinery (Lee), Manton, MI and brother-in-law, John (Jean) Cummings, Hemlock, MI. He is predeceased by his parents, Frank and Catherine Ruyts, and one sister, Kathleen Thayer (Manton, MI).
Bob had the joy of loving 11 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, a great-granddog Emma and a teddy bear named Tedward.
Per Bob’s request, there will be no funeral service at this time. Please remember him with the fondest of memories and send prayers for the family as we mourn a great man. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory are welcomed and should be sent to the Saginaw Rescue Ministries or the American Heart Association. Arrangements have been entrusted to Berry Funeral Home of Shepherd.
