Herbert Stanley Dunham

1930 - 2017

Herbert Stanley

Dunham

Feb. 27, 1930 - Dec. 28, 2017

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI - Herbert Stanley Dunham (Stan) of Farmington Hills, MI (formerly of South Bend, IN and Louisville, KY) died Thursday, December 28, 2017, in Farmington Hills. He was 87 years of age. Stan was born in Detroit, Michigan, on February 27, 1930 to Herbert Dunham and Irene (Lutz) Dunham, both of whom preceded him in death.

Stan is survived by both his sons, Scott Dunham (Julianne) and Douglas Dunham (Donna), all of South Bend. Stan is also survived by his companion of over 20 years, Shirley Zimmer, and her son, Todd Zimmer, both of Farmington Hills. Stan is also survived by his grandson, Michael Dunham of South Bend, and by his granddaughter, Emily Dunham of Bloomington, IN. Additionally, he is survived by his step-grandson, Randall Becker (Allison) of Cupertino, CA. Stan is also survived by his sister, Joan McCombs (Stuart) of Prospect, KY, as well as by three nephews: Bruce McCombs of Indianapolis, IN, Phillip McCombs (Vicki) of New Albany, IN, and Steven McCombs (Allison) of Louisville, KY; as well as by many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Stan attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, IL, before transferring to Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, WI. He was elected a class officer at Wayland and played on the tennis team at both New Trier and Wayland. He graduated from Kalamazoo College and later, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a Master's Degree. Prior to college, he served his country in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1950-1952, working on Morse Code-related projects. At one point in the 1950s, Stan biked across Europe.

Stan loved people. He was a natural-born salesman. During his professional career, he worked for Carroll College (now Carroll University) in WI, for Wayne State University in Detroit, for Follett Publishing, and for Commonwealth Life Insurance Company. Later in life, he also worked for Boys Haven, a home for foster boys in Louisville.

Stan loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. He especially liked to sing hymns from the United Methodist hymnal while accompanied by his grandson Michael playing the piano. Stan's favorite hymn was ‘Holy, Holy, Holy'. When he lived in Louisville, Stan loved to dance and sing while riding the Belle of Louisville paddlewheel boat on the Ohio River.

Stan loved to play tennis. In addition to playing in high school, Stan taught both his sons to play and to love the sport. Stan especially enjoyed hitting tennis balls with his grandson Michael.

Having lived in South Bend and elsewhere in the Midwest during the turbulent 1960s, Stan greatly admired the late Rev. Theodore Hesburgh of the University of Notre Dame because of Father Hesburgh's commitment to equality for all.

Stan also enjoyed going Up North to his companion Shirley's cottage in northern Michigan. Stan was a Michigander through and through.

Stan's family thanks the many medical professionals in the Farmington Hills and West Bloomfield, MI communities who lovingly cared for Stan, especially during his repeated hospitalizations this past autumn. Also, the family thanks Mrs. Beverly Borr of Farmington Hills and Robin, Risa, and Isabelle Borr of West Bloomfield for their extraordinary assistance in helping Stan.

Gifts in memory of Stan may be made to Faith United Methodist Church, attention: Memorial Fund, 802 East Ewing Avenue, South Bend, IN 46613 (phone number 574.288.1777).

Generations Funeral Home in Farmington Hills is assisting the family. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Stan's life will be held at a later date.

Holy, Holy, Holy

Lord God Almighty

Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.

Holy, Holy, Holy

Merciful and Mighty

God in three persons, blessed Trinity.