Rudean Fairman
Age - 92
December 8, 2023
Rudean Roth Fairman, age 92, of Grand Rapids, Michigan passed away peacefully on November 27 at her home at the Village of Heather Hills surrounded by her family. Rudean (Deane) Roth was born on December 22, 1930 with her twin sister Roberta (Birdie) to Rev. Rudolph W. Roth and Veldean Dexter Vrooman in Charlotte, Michigan. The twins were the youngest of five girls. Rudean was raised in Bay City, Michigan where her father was Pastor of the First Congregational Church until his death in 1941. Her mother returned to school for an M. S. degree at University of Michigan in order to raise her girls and secure a position as Dean of Women at Bay City High School. Rudean was an active and artistic person from the start. She played piano and learned to play the bass at Interlochen Center for the Arts summer camp. Later she played bass violin in an all girls' dance band while attending Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she received her B. A. in Education. Rudean was an avid seamstress who made many of her own clothes as well as ones for her daughters. She dabbled in painting and loved decorating her homes. During the summer of 1951, Rudean worked as a waitress at the Harbor Point Club, Harbor Springs, MI. While walking the beach, she met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Philip Fairman who was working as a summer chauffeur for John Blodgett (Blodgett Hospital). It was love at first sight. Bob was attending Michigan State University, and after they both graduated in 1952, Bob went on to serve as a lieutenant in the Air Force, and Deane taught elementary school in Bob's hometown of Lansing, MI. Bob and Deane were married in a double wedding with her twin sister Roberta to Wilfred Gephart, in June of 1953. Bob and Rudean had a storybook love affair that lasted 71 years. Due to Bob's advancing career with Touche, Niven, Bailey, & Smart (now Deloitte), Rudean and Bob lived in several locations, including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Chicago, Akron and Cleveland before returning to Grand Rapids in 1984 where Bob became partner with the investment firm of Norris, Perne & French. Despite all the moves, Rudean was active in every new community, serving in leadership roles for the Girl Scouts, churches, hospital guilds, and the arts, but most importantly, she played the key role in successfully raising four children, all now happily married with children of their own. Rudean loved to walk and be outdoors. She had a keen eye for beauty which was evidenced in the decor of the various homes in which the family lived. She was a gracious host and provided warmth and a welcoming spirit. She loved reading and kept up with the issues of the day. Rudean and Bob built a life of community and service. In later life, Rudean and Bob traveled the world with friends and cherished many deep and lasting friendships everywhere they went. As a family, they shared ski trips and visits to family in Florida, Illinois, Michigan, and California. More recently in 2012, Bob and Rudean blessed their children and spouses with a special trip to Ireland. Bob and Rudean also enjoyed a winter home in Venice, Florida, and a cabin on the Little Manistee River near Irons, Michigan, which served as a family anchor since 1966. The cabin provided a place for family and friends to gather over the past 57 years and to enjoy canoeing, kayaking, fly fishing, roasting marshmallows over the firepit, and eating grandma and grandpa's homemade ice cream. Rudean especially appreciated the peacefulness and serenity of nature that the cabin provided, whether it was picking wild asparagus in the field, admiring the beauty of a lady's-slipper amongst the pines, or simply watching a hummingbird on the feeder. Rudean and Bob would tell you they enjoyed a rich and fulfilling life and had no regrets. Rudean also had a deep faith in God. She loved life but was ready to go to her heavenly home, particularly since her beloved Bob preceded her in death by a mere 39 days. Bob and Deane celebrated 70 years of marriage this past June. Fittingly today they're together in eternity. Rudean was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Fairman in 2023; her mother, Veldean Roth in 1998; her father, Rudolph Roth in 1941; and sisters, Betty Roth 1930; Barbara Holcomb 2013; twin Roberta (Gephart) Rogers 2021; and Virginia Rayburn in 2021. Rudean is survived by her four children Rob (Cathy) of Bakersfield, CA, Nancy (David Voges) of Traverse City, MI, Kate Fairman (Bill Queen) of Cedar, MI, and Jen (David Kirchgessner) of East Grand Rapids, MI. Rudean and Bob have been blessed with 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, many of whom referred to them as 'Dee Dee' and 'Pa'. A memorial service will be held for both Rudean and Bob at the Mayflower Congregational Church at 11:00 a. m. on Friday, January 26, 2024. For those who wish to make a memorial contribution, please consider a donation to the Grand Rapids Symphony, 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Ste 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, or the charity of your choice.Show more
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