Bryan Hughes

Hearts were made brighter and lives richer for those who knew and loved Bryan Hughes. Talented and intelligent, he accomplished much in his life and will be remembered for all that he was, and for all that he gave. The 1950s marked a quieter, more stable time in American history. Families spent much time together, especially as the baby boom continued, and moved to newly developed suburbs. With consumer goods on the rise, manufacturing jobs were at an all time high. Although those overseas during the Korean War made for worrisome hearts back home, it was an age of innocence as the nations culture was that of a quieter, more simplified lifestyle. Life could not have been happier for Hugh Rupert and Carol (Zarling) Hughes when on August 9, 1952 they welcomed the birth of their son, Hugh Bryan into their hearts. Born in the quaint Ohio village of Mount Gilead, he was affectionately known from his earliest years as Bryan. His father operated a small family farm while his mother looked after young Bryan and his older sister, Darcy. Eventually he welcomed two younger sisters when Deborah and Mary came along. When he was quite young his family settled in West Bend, Wisconsin where his dad was a salesman for West Bend Aluminum. Bryan enjoyed a typical childhood for the times as an active, energetic youngster. He attended the local schools and made friends easily. In his teen years, Bryan and his family moved to Rockford, Illinois. He went on to attend Rockford Guilford High School where he excelled not only in his studies, but in several areas of sports, as well. Having competed in butterfly and freestyle, he was an integral part of his swim team, and was an active member of the debate and chess teams, too. When it came to golf, Bryan exceeded expectations and began working as an assistant golf pro. When his parents divorced, he lived with his mother and soon graduated. He served his country in the U.S. Marines and decided to further his education upon returning home. Bryan's athletic abilities and academic achievements earned him the opportunity to attend Illinois Wesleyan University on scholarship. In due time he realized there was much more in store for him there than obtaining an education. At his freshman orientation, Bryan met Lucy Bergmann, a young woman from Muskegon, Michigan. Right from the start there was a mutual connection. That day marked the beginning of many more times spent enjoying the company of one another when they soon began dating. Majoring in International Business, Bryan was off to a good start on the wrestling and golf team in college. He was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity and helped form a model of the United Nations program at school. For additional income, he enjoyed building dollhouses and selling them for profit. After they both graduated, Bryan and Lucy happily shared vows of marriage on June 15, 1974. Bryan worked for a law firm in Rockford, Illinois for a year before moving to Iowa and enrolling at Drake University Law School there. Lucy taught school while Bryan worked hard at completing his studies. Following his graduation from Drake, they packed up once again and moved to Traverse City, Michigan for short time where he worked in commercial real estate. They eventually returned to Iowa where he took a position as a financial planner for Farm Bureau Insurance. During these years, Bryan was blessed to become the father of two sons, Justin in 1979 and Andrew in 1981. His daughter, Kristen came along in 1987. As a father he was very involved with his children and their many activities. He thoroughly enjoyed being active in their lives, and even coached soccer and served as a Boy Scout leader. As a family they took regular family vacations to Michigan along with spring break trips to Greenfield Village and skiing trips to Colorado. Bryan was a great golfer, and avid fly fisherman. He loved to hunt and was an excellent wing and skeet shooter. He also participated in pistol shooting competitions. Among his various abilities, he happened to be a wonderful gourmet cook and loved preparing delicious meals for family and friends. Likened to a modern day Renaissance man, his family considered him as such. His expertise spanned a significant number of different subject areas, and to think it was second nature to him was extraordinary. He possessed an entrepreneurial spirit and loved starting businesses from the ground up and turned several of them around to become thriving successes. He tried his hand at various things throughout his life and did most of them very well. His mathematical aptitude was phenomenal and was evident when configuring mortgage tables in his head. Among his many ventures, he was involved with a bird hunting business in Denmark and as a partner in a laundromat business, just to name a few. In 1992, Bryan and his family moved to Muskegon where he partnered in the Chaddock Winter and Alberts Insurance Agency. During this time he served on the board of directors at Muskegon General Hospital, and they attended Laketon Bethel Reformed Church. Content, active in the community and having made many good friends and business associates, life in Muskegon agreed with both of them. After ten years with the insurance agency, Bryan sold his share and went on to become a partner in Jackal Fabrication. He then went to work for Gallagher Insurance in Grand Rapids. A few years ago, Bryan's business talents once again shown bright when a fellow hospital board member, Mark Fazackerly, convinced him to become the executive director and CEO for the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum which featured the Silversides submarine. He helped develop their new web site and turned the once struggling organization around to be a prominent, as well as profitable, attraction. Somewhat of a philosopher, Bryan had a way of reading into things. He recognized the good in things, and believed the best in people. He never ceased in learning, and gained valuable knowledge throughout each of his endeavors. Bryan had the tendency to bring out the best in those he worked with, and people in general. His ideas were inspiring, and his vision for what could be was just a small part of enjoying his company. In his later years, he became closer to God, and he enjoyed sharing that with others. At the age of 59, Bryan suffered a sudden heart attack on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, sadly dying at home. The kind of man who never met a stranger, Bryan was a blessing to know and love. A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, he will be deeply missed and forever remembered. Bryan is survived by his wife of 37 years, Lucy; sons, Justin (Rebekah) Hughes of Indiana and Andrew Hughes of Florida; daughter, Kristen Hughes of Florida; granddaughters, Katrina and Rhianna; sister, Deborah (William) Pedrick of Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Darcy and Mary. MEMORIAL SERVICE: Saturday, September 17, 2011, 10:00 AM at Laketon Bethel Reformed Church with Rev. Dr. Sherwin Brantsen officiating. VISITATION: Friday, 4-7 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home-Muskegon. MEMORIAL: Great Lakes Naval Memorial & Museum or the Heritage Foundation. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a favorite memory and photo of Bryan and to sign his online guest book. Clock Life Story Funeral Home-Muskegon.