HOLLAND, Mich. (June 2, 2014) – Robert and Susan Kammeraad were killed in a motorcycle crash Sunday evening in Allegan Township. Friends said Bob, 69, and Sue, 66, were married as long as they can remember and dropped everything to help other people.
“I know a lot of great people, but he was by far one of the biggest inspirations in my life. He really changed my life,” said Keith Walters, long-time friend of Bob and Sue.
Walters was biking buddies with the couple after he met Bob in Gulfport, Mississippi when Hurricane Katrina hit. He said Bob gave up his retirement to live in a church with a leaky roof for two years, to spearhead recovery efforts there just days after devastation.
“It’s going to leave a hole in the community because there weren’t many people available to drop at a phone call and fly to other countries, and go to disasters all around the world, and to help people out,” said Walters.
Central Wesleyan Church members said Bob and Sue were active. Bob led mission efforts and spent time in Mozambique engineering community water wells.
Sue helped women in the Holland area who were recovering from drug and alcohol-abuse issues, Walters added.
“Both of them though would just give up themselves to help others,” explained Walters.
When they weren’t helping others, Walters said Bob was on his year-old Harley with Sue, his one escape.
Sadly, Bob and Sue were killed riding the very motorcycle they loved, when Allegan County deputies said a driver veered into their lane and hit them.
Walters said this pair is one-of-a-kind.
“They just inspired so many people in the community, and all over the world, to give up themselves and to help other people. They were a true inspiration,” Walters added.
From their work around the globe to their laughs, Walters said they’re irreplaceable.
“He had the loudest laugh, and it would wake up a whole restaurant. But it could change to serious in a second, you know, he could find laughter in everything you do, but he could be as serious as ever, and get the job done,” said Walters.
The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office said there are no charges as of Monday against the 23-year-old driver from Grand Haven who hit the couple. Any charges are pending the results of the toxicology report and the review from the Prosecutor’s Office.
