Edward Allen “Al” Trutsch, age 87, died Sunday, April 20, Easter Sunday, as he was a man of unshakeable faith in God, Al knew he was reuniting with his bride of 59 years, Laurie (Delores Kotesky Trutsch) who preceded him in death, and two brothers Philip and Thomas Trutsch.
Al was a master storyteller – a skill he honed in a speech class from his alma mater, Caledonia high school. He understood the art of engaging his audience, colorful descriptors for detail, the anticipation of a pause, sprinkling in some wisdom, and ending on a big laugh.
Al never had to be the center of attention, but his personality automatically drew people to him.
He also possessed a rare gift to make a person feel special. His inner light was so bright he could not help but shine, and when you were with him, that light shone all around on those with him.
In his youth after graduation, Al joined the Army, serving in the Corps of Engineers as a scraper operator. He told stories of how he terrorized people on the autobahn by hauling heavy equipment at 80 miles an hour all over Germany.
After the Army, Al had a few jobs but found his calling when he began working for K and R Excavating as a dozer operator. He dug basements, foundations for buildings, parking lots, took out trees, and smoothed out roadways.
He worked his way up to being supervisor for an earth moving crew, and ran jobs all over Michigan and Florida. While at K and R, he was able to work with his brothers Phillip, David, Thomas, and James Trutsch at different times. His sister, Sharon Kuiper, never worked at K and R, but Al would have been happy to have all his siblings with him.
He loved playing in the dirt so much, he retired three times before it finally took. All of his many children and grandchildren visited him on a job site at one time or another, riding around either on a bulldozer or in a big red truck.
Al loved being with people, but he was fiercely independent when it came to making sure he was not a burden. After his bride passed, (and because his family was worried, he might be lonely), Al got a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Oliver, to keep him company. Oliver was able to stay with Al until the end and offered him comfort and kisses.
Al was full of wisdom and faced his problems head on. He was eternally optimistic, did not complain, never felt sorry for himself, and maintained a positive attitude in all things.
Al loved passing on his wisdom in witty phrases and sayings dubbed by the family as Al-isms. Some of his favorite sayings were, “this too shall pass like a kidney stone,” and “your attitude matches your altitude.”
Al was a friend, brother, and uncle. As a father and Bumpy (grandfather) he is a legend and his passing has left a hole for his children Scott Trutsch, Karen Monterusso (Tom), Susanne (Pete) Boyd, Heidi (Tom) Wolf; grandchildren Jodi (Joshua) Johnson, Jacquelyn (Doug) Wakely, Julie (Martin) Gomez, Jonathon (Amie) Schumaker, Holly (Jeremy) Van der puyl, Noah Boyd, Margaret (Anthony) Slavich, Sadie Boyd (fiancé, Jeremy Zimmerman), Brian Wolf, Caroline (Tom) Delor; and great-grandchildren Henry, Allen, and Katelyn Johnson, Lincoln Wakely, Maci, Oscar, and Rozalyn Gomez, Peter, Tessa, and Betty Van der puyl, Danika Slavich, Carson Zimmerman.
Visitation with Al’s family and friends will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 25, at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home, 312 N. Main St., Wayland.
Celebration of Al’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26, with an hour of visitation prior at 10 a.m., at First Congregational Church of Allegan, 323 Cutler St., Allegan, with Pastor Barry Lucas officiating.
In honor of Al and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, which helps veterans. Al was a staunch supporter of veterans.
