Lowell Ellsworth Hershey

Dearly loved, Lowell Ellsworth Hershey, 89, passed away peacefully, but unexpectedly, on January 25, 2013, surrounded by family. Lowell was born September 9, 1923 in Massillon, Ohio, son of Raymond and Norma Hershey. He attended Ohio State University and graduated from Yale University in 1945 in mechanical engineering while in the Navy. He initially was Chief Engineer of a Navy vessel. July 22, 1946, he married the love of his life, Lillian Bandecchi. He then began working at the Kalamazoo Division of the Borg-Warner Corporation in research and design engineering for 18 years. When Borg-Warner left Kalamazoo, he became the head of the research lab at Durametallic Corporation. He retired in 1984. Lowell was a dearly loved and admired family man. He and Lillian raised 5 children: Doug, deceased in 2012 (Laura) of Lansing; Linda (Kit) Lirot of Kalamazoo; Ray (Julie) of Greer SC; Jon (Sally) of Portage and Rob (Sue) of Austin TX. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, 12 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. An avid golfer, dancer, swimmer, walker and volleyball player, the Hersheys were active all their lives. They spent 25 winters in Hawaii, loved it, and made many special friends there. Lowell was always complimentary and always grateful for how well Lillian took great care of him and raised the children...this, he said, made his life wonderful. Lowell was a humble and brilliant man who mentored his children and many others by the way he lived. He was modest, kind, and generous in all aspects of his life and will be greatly missed. On Thursday, January 31, there will be visitation at 11 a.m. and a memorial service at noon, at Unity Church of Kalamazoo, 1204 Whites Road. A luncheon will follow to celebrate Lowell's blessed, long and meaningful life. Contributions can be made to Unity Church of Kalamazoo or a charity of your choice.