Robert DeYoung

To Bob's family,

Way behind in reading the Press and just saw that your Dad passed away. We all have many fond memories of shopping at Fulton Heights and watching it grow from little building out front into the neighborhood anchor it is today. Bob truly was a very special person and he will be missed by many. We are very sorry for your loss.

John Savara and family.

DeYoung family

The principles and values I learned from your father I have tried to make my own. Christian leadership is hard to find in business today. He will be greatly missed.

I have many happy memories from the days I worked at Fulton Heights Foods. Mr. DeYoung snatched me up from Baskin Robbins and taught me how to be kind to everyone, and to know everyone by name. If I didn't know people from school or church, you can be guaranteed that I knew them from Fulton Heights Foods.

Mr. DeYoung is an amazing example of how "it takes a village ..." He played an incredible role in the raising of generations of young adults through example and real life experience. I know that his example and training helped me come out of my shell of shyness (believe it or not, I used to be shy ...), allowing me to talk to people I didn't know, and then to develop business relationships with them. While Bob Sr. was not an official "teacher," he taught many generations how to be kind to others and to create a great business atmosphere for both employees and customers. My years at Fulton Heights have left an indelible mark on my life, as it has for so many others. We have lost an incredible pillar in the St. Thomas/Aquinas/Fulton Street/Eastown community.

In the almost twenty years and many locations, since I worked for Fulton Heights Foods, I have not found any place like it. I think of those years as important in my upbringing, and am grateful to Bob Sr. and the DeYoung family for supporting me through high school, college, and beyond.

Bob Sr. has truly left his mark on the entire world, as the folks who worked for him and his family have spread throughout the world. His kind and fair business practices are now being emulated through the people who started with him.

My sincere sympathies to your family. Bob Senior was a good man to the core. I felt part of a family during my days at FHF and Senior was the always smiling leader. I still visit the former FHF store whenever I return to GR as it holds wonderful memories. I am truly sorry for your loss.
~former deli manager

My prayers are with the entire DeYoung family. Mr. DeYoung was always kind and was great to work for.