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Raymond George Surbeck, age 81, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on Sept. 21, 2011 at Riverview Manor Nursing Home. Raymond was born on June 12, 1930 in Buffalo, N.Y., the son of Sidney Herbert Robinson and Mary Avery (Jones) Robinson. After the death of Mr. Robinson, Mary married DeVoist J. Surbeck, who later adopted Raymond. As a young boy, Ray sang for several years in the famous Men’s Choir at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Buffalo, N.Y.
Mr. Surbeck graduated from Riverside High School in Buffalo, N.Y., he then went on to receive his Bachelor’s degree in business and accounting at Michigan State University. He later received his M.B.A. from the University of Michigan in Banking. Mr. Surbeck served his country as a corporal in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
On June 1, 1957 Raymond was united in marriage to Norma Jean Halstead in Lansing. In 1969 Raymond and Norma, coming from Farmington Hills, moved to Three Rivers where he became Business Manager of Glen Oaks Community College serving many years. Ray then began work at the First National Bank and retired as Executive Vice President in 1995.
Mr. Surbeck was a member of the Three Rivers Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge F&A.M., and the D.O.E.R.S. He served on the board of trustees for Glen Oaks Community College as well as the Domestic Assault Shelter and the First Presbyterian Church, where he also served as an elder, deacon, sang in the Chancel Choir. Ray was very active in the Carnegie Center for the Arts and a member of the Cotillion Club.
Ray enjoyed traveling, music, the arts, caring for his yard, and building model train layouts with his son Ken. Ray will always be remembered by his family and friends for his integrity, kindness and wonderful sense of humor.
Mr. Surbeck was preceded in death by one son, Glenn Raymond Surbeck in 1976, one brother, John Robinson, one sister, Shirley Rosier, and his parents.
He leaves to cherish his loving memory his wife, Norma of Three Rivers; one son, Kenneth John Surbeck of Portage, one daughter, Julie Ann (Timothy) Staffen of Schoolcraft; one grandson, Landon Kenneth Staffen; one sister, Mary Bahl of Lansing; one brother, Harland Surbeck of Perry.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30 at the Hohner Funeral Home.
Memorial Services will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1 at the First Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers, with Revs. Jon and Brenda Deily officiating.
Interment will be held at Chapel Hills Memorial Gardens, Lansing at a later date.
Memorials may be directed to the Domestic Assault Shelter or the First Presbyterian Church.
