David John Brink

David John “Dave” Brink, age 85, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 7, 2020. He was born in Grand Rapids on April 2, 1935, and was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Henrietta Brink, and stepmother Minnie Brink, as well as his sister Helen Walter. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 60 years, Anita Brink, and his children, Melody (Stan) Sturing of Grand Rapids, Daniel Brink of Grand Rapids, Dale (Janet) Brink of Dyer, Indiana, and Michelle (Michael) Smith of Rockford, Mich. He adored his eight grandchildren, Steven (Stephanie) Brink, Jordan Brink, Kristen (Jackson) Haveman, Lauren (Tom) Leegwater, Nichelle Sturing, Chris Sturing, Madeline Smith, McKayla Smith, and his two great-grandchildren, Eli Brink and Cole Brink. Dave is survived by four siblings, James Brink, Janice (the late Jake) Leegwater, Emily Brink, and Charlotte (Dan) Kinsey.

Dave was known for being soft-spoken and deliberate, and also for his quick wit and subtle sense of humor. He stayed active in his life even after open-heart surgery in 2007. He was an early member of the Arcadia Christian Reformed Church, now Blythefield CRC, where he was active in music, and served as an elder several times. He also served on the board at the Leonard Street Bibles for Missions Thrift Center, where he worked three days a week. But Dave’s true passion was reserved for classical music, of which he had an encyclopedic knowledge. He was a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School and attended Calvin College to become a band director, but spent most of his life working for Malecki Music as Manager of the Band and Orchestra Department. He was also an accomplished saxophone player and played in the 126^th Army band as part of the National Guard. Later in life he played in the West Michigan New Horizons Symphonic Band and the Ransom Street Big Band.

A graveside committal service for immediate family will be held at Blythefield Memory Gardens. Contributions in Dave’s honor may be made to the Christian Education Fund at Blythefield Christian Reformed Church, 6350 Kuttshill Dr. N.E., Rockford, Mich., 49341-8567.

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