Dr. Robert Lewis Church, 82 of Wayland, died Sunday, July 28.

Robert was a caring man, father, husband, avid golfer and lifelong member of the Salem Indian Mission Church. He was born in Hopkins, and graduated from Hopkins Public School.

Bob excelled in his academics and in his favorite sport, football. During his young adult life, he traveled across the United States in pursuit of his education. Robert was the eldest member of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians at the time of his passing.

Robert was the first Native American graduate in 1969 from the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy. He retired from Spectrum Medical Center (also known as Corewell Health) in Grand Rapids.

Robert is survived by his wife of 44 years, Liane (Krieglemann) Church; sons Michael and Thomas (Marcy) Church; stepdaughter, Marie (William) Sears; four grandchildren; brother, Richard (Mary) Church; sister-in-law, Cheryl G. Church, and brother-in-law, Thomas Pratt.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Lewis “White Eagle” and Gladys (Mamagona) Church and siblings William Church and Francis Church-Pratt.

Visitation with Robert’s family and friends will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, at Luella Collins Community Center, 419 126th Ave., Shelbyville. A celebration of Robert’s life will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024 at Bradley Indian Mission Church, 695 128th Ave., Shelbyville.

In honor of Robert and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Salvation Army.