Daniel James Dobbins

Dan was born on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, the son of an Irish coal miner. As the oldest of a family of twelve, he quickly learned how to do what it took to survive, while doing all he could to help feed and support the family. At the age of 14, he left Nova Scotia to live with his aunt and uncle in Boston, MA, where he proudly joined the United States Army upon legal age. He was later deployed to the Korean war, and achieved the rank of 1st Sargent while fighting for 18 months on the front lines. Upon being honorably discharged he reentered the United States through Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, where he was married to Diane Tucker, and had three children, Steve, Mark and Susan. While in Sault Ste.Marie, Dan learned the plumbing and heating trade from his father-in-law. After years of training, he moved to Richland, Michigan where he started a company known as Richland Plumbing & Heating. Dan was later divorced and remarried to Ruthann Ferguson, and her children Amy and David. For over 27 years Dan trained countless employees, and grew his business into a multi-state corporation. Dan was very involved and dedicated to his industry. He sat on several industry boards, and was instrumental in effecting codes and best practices on behalf of the plumbing and heating industry. Dan was a strong believer in giving back and positively impacted the lives of many employees, as well as those in the community. If he knew of someone in need, he would go to great lengths to see that they got the help they needed, from work boots to house and car down payments. To this day, several of his past employees are entrepreneurs of their own successful plumbing and heating companies, thanks to the training and opportunities he provided. Dan was involved in many local organizations, such as the Lions Club, Rotary,Masons, Shriners, Knights of Columbus, Gull Lake Country Club, and other community events. He was constantly donating time or money to support them all. Dan loved sports of all kinds, and was supportive in his children's athletics. He most passionately followed the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings and the Dallas Cowboys. He loved the game of golf, was a member of the Gull Lake Country Club, and played every chance he had. His fondest golf memory was his pro-am round with the great Fuzzy Zoeller. He enjoyed fishing and hunting of all kinds, and took annual trips to the backwoods camps of northern Canada with many of his same friends year after year. Dan will be remembered most for his generous spirit, big heart, and most of all, a positive, never give up, attitude. He will be fondly remembered by his children and employees for his mantra: "The impossible just takes a little longer" As a father, husband, brother and friend, words can't express the loss we feel, or the pain in our hearts, but there will forever be gratitude for who you are, and what you gave to us all. Dan is survived by his wife of 36 years, Ruthann, children Mark Dobbins of Atlanta, GA, and Stephen (Janice) Dobbins of San Antonio, TX and step-daughter Amy (Chuck) Rustenholtz of Kalamazoo; siblings Valerie (Raymond) McNamara, Ronald Dobbin, Mary (Paul)MacDonald, Carmel Scanlon, Anne (Tony) Landry, Margaret (Neil) Moran, Diane (Kenneth) MacDonald, Jean (Larry) Smith and Paula (Larry) Orbell all of Canada; grandchildren Ryan, Sean, Chase and Josh Dobbins, Lauren (Rob) Chase, Jessica, Emily, Tim (Christa), and Lindsey Rustenholtz; great-grandchildren Alexis and Kayla Little, Bryce and Aislynn Holmes, Zachery and Nickalas Rustenholtz and Kingtrell Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers John and Charles and step-son David Ferguson. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dan's memory may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or a charity of choice.