John R. Milhaupt

1929 - 2019

John R. Milhaupt obituary, 1929-2019, Grand Rapids, MI

BORN

1929

DIED

2019

FUNERAL HOME

O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel - Grand Rapids

3980 Cascade Rd. SE

Grand Rapids, Michigan

John Milhaupt Obituary

Photographer John R. Milhaupt, age 90, candidly chose to join his wife in Heaven on Saturday, November 30. Any regrets? "Negative. Not on your tintype", he'd reply. Such a thought would make him shutter. How could he gloss over such a picture-perfect opportunity?

This beloved husband, father, and uncle, was preceded in death by his wife Margaret (Peg) Milhaupt, son Tom Milhaupt, brother Fred H. Milhaupt, Jr., and sisters Jean Milhaupt, Rosemary Brown, and Marilyn Hefferan. John is survived by his sons John F. "Fritz" Milhaupt (Leslie Ohanian), Bob Milhaupt, and daughter Mary Milhaupt, along with many nieces and nephews.

John was born in Norwalk, OH and raised in Grand Rapids, MI. He developed his love of photography during grade school, and while in high school was a darkroom technician, and later a photographer for Robinson Studio.

After serving in the Army's 62nd Engineering Topographic Company in Korea, he returned home to fire off numerous shots for Robinson Studio and the Grand Rapids Herald. While working for WOOD TV, he even captured an escaped fugitive - then was reprimanded for not doing so on film.

He and Michael Dabakey partnered to form Colorama Studio, where he increased his depth-of-field to provide quality portrait, wedding, specialty and commercial color photography throughout West Michigan for over 44 years. Through these years, he stayed focused while photographing Maya Angelou, Louis Armstrong, Clyde Beatty, Milton Berle, the DeBarge family, Gerald Ford, Sonja Henie, Danny Kaye, J.F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Arnold Palmer, Frank Lloyd Wright and a host of other politicians and celebrities.

John knew he was on a roll. By flashing his smile he schussed into a relationship with Peg, who was resting her broken leg in a Nub's Knob ski lounge. He simply couldn't wait to meter. They instantly clicked. Little time lapsed prior to their marriage in 1964. Together they lovingly raised four clever little snapshots.

He over-exposed his family to his love for trains, and it stuck with his two oldest sons. He was an active member of the West Michigan Railway Historical Society where he served as newsletter editor for more than twenty years. An avid craftsman, he passed those skills to his children, and after retirement, volunteered as a carpenter with Habitat for Humanity and as a cabinetmaker with Grand Rapids Home Repair Service.

Upon losing his wife of 55 years, John was heartbroken. He couldn't bear three weeks in a dark room. So he opened the door and stepped into the light. Now, just picture it, they wear matching halos. What a spectacular image!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2750 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, on Friday, December 6 at 11AM, Rev. Peter Damian Presiding. Family will greet friends and relatives on Thursday, December 5 from 4-7 PM at O'Brien Eggebeen Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids and Friday one hour piror to the service at Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Thomas Milhaupt Scholarship at Grand Rapids Community College Foundation, 143 Bostwick Ave NE, Grand Rapids, 49503.


Published by Grand Rapids Press from Dec. 2 to Dec. 3, 2019.
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5 Entries

A great Gentleman exposed. This obituary is one of the best.

God rest his soul!

Patricia Flowers

December 3, 2019

I never met John but after reading this obituary, I wish that I had. It sounds like he had a wonderful zest for this beautiful thing called life.

Bruce Kielty

December 3, 2019

I wish I could write this as cleverly as the obit, but I'll just say that I knew John as the husband of Peg, a dear friend and classmate. How generous of God to bring them together so quickly.

Barbara Ottenwess

December 3, 2019

The obit is great, outstanding. Good Job!
We enjoyed our visit and talked about it all the way home. Sure love the memory of your dad making the pregnant Mary cookie cutters for our Advent evenings. Each week the cookie was more pregnant. So many special moments with your mom and dad. God bless you kids.

Don and Nancy Harmon

Nancy Harmon

December 2, 2019

Don't know this Man but what an interesting Life he had !!
Taking Pictures of Famous People/ Stars .Now your up in
Heaven with the Stars

December 2, 2019

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Funeral services provided by:

O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel - Grand Rapids

3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

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