Ronald James Schurman

RONALD JAMES SCHURMAN, ARCHITECT

With Sharon, his wife of 29 years by his side, Ron Schurman passed on Friday, February 9th, while she played music and sang to him at his bedside. The adoration prevailed through death after more than 30 years of love and friendship.  Ron “hung the moon” for Sharon providing for a life of love and laughter during any trial or tribulation.   He had a tenacious spirit – firm in principle with a kind heart. 

Moving to Crooked Tree after more than 30 years of memories on Walloon Lake, Ron loved both the water and his golf. As past president of Twin Beach Country Club in West Bloomfield, Ron was a part of the Savannah Group – a group of golfers touring the United States for the best in golf and adventure.  During those years he was also an avid hunter and fisherman taking his two sons from the outermost reaches of Ontario to the most local lakes around Cadillac. Ron and his brother “Chuck” were extremely close and spent many years together hunting, fishing and camping together with their families. Ron loved nature and being outdoors.

Ron’s passion for architecture began very early in high school (Lakeview, St. Clair Shores) and never left him. With friend and partner Craig Smith, Ron began his architectural firm in 1968 and was an integral ingredient of its success until shortly before his death. Smith + Schurman Associates, Inc. specializes in residential, healthcare, and industrial design with projects nationwide.   Ron’s proudest achievement was using his design talents and creativity to build his dream home on beautiful Walloon Lake, where he and his wife, Sharon, lived their dream of retiring and enjoying all the four seasons of Northern Michigan.

Ron began as a part of this world on February 10th, 1939 when Minnie and Merle brought him home to St. Clair Shores. Both parents are deceased, but he is survived by his wonderful sons in whom he was most proud: Daren (Pamela), with grandchildren Justin and Alivia; Todd (Cynthia), having grandchildren Hannah and Madelyn; and by his brother Charles (Rebecca) of West Bloomfield with niece, Terry Proctor and nephew David Schurman.

Ron and Sharon are members of the First Presbyterian Church in Harbor Springs where a service will take place in early May, when winter breaks and friends return.  A celebration of Ron’s life will follow at Little Traverse Bay Golf Club.

Cremation services have been arranged through Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey.

Memorial gifts would be accepted in Ron’s name through Hospice of Northwest Michigan, First Presbyterian Church of Harbor Springs, or the Humane Society of your choice.

For anyone wanting to appreciate and wander into Ron’s life, a breakfast at the Bistro in Petoskey, or a cocktail at Chandler’s – A Restaurant would be a wonderful tribute to a man who loved his friends and family and any social occasion that brought about laughter and love.

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