Douglas Fergusson Roby III

Lifelong Grosse Pointe resident, Douglas Fergusson Roby III
passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 30, 2023
surrounded by his loving family.
Doug was born at Harper Hospital on December 23, 1963 to
Mary McKean Roby and the late Douglas Fergusson Roby, Jr.
He attended South High School and graduated from Albion
College, where he held a leadership position for the Sigma
Chi fraternity, leading to the birth of "The Purple Galaxy",
which continues to stay fresh to this day. It was at Albion
where Doug earned the title, "Awesome Fergie."
During summers in high school and college, Doug attended
Keewaydin Camp in Temagami, Ontario first as a camper and
then a counselor. Doug led multiple expeditions guiding young
campers and helping them develop self-reliance. His
experiences at Keewaydin inspired Doug to pursue his
passion for helping others. This led him to earn a Master's in
Social Work at the University of Michigan.
Upon graduation, his first position was at Vista Maria, a
residential mental health facility for girls. His next position,
which he found in an ad in the newspaper, was at Children's
Home of Detroit, a residential facility for children where he
met his wife of 30 years, Lynne Shier. He took Lynne to
Keewaydin and proposed to her on a mountain top, so her
deceased mother had a view of them from Heaven. Since
then, Doug has been a school social worker for the Grosse
Pointe Public School System and has worked at Grosse
Pointe South High School for the majority of his 30 years,
exhibiting unwavering service and commitment to education.
His passion for the wellbeing of students was evident daily.
As stated by the GPPSS, "Doug's dedication, work ethic, and
genuine care for the individuals he served set him apart and
left an enduring legacy in our community". At South, Doug's
door was always open. He smiled, laughed, and connected
instantaneously with kids and adults. He was the real deal
and the students knew they were safe and trusted him. Doug
was a gentle soul with a strong life force that made an impact
on all who knew him.
His love of sports was evident throughout his life, as a player
of baseball, hockey and golf, as a skier, and as a coach for
the GP South boys varsity golf team, a game he loved. He
was a passionate University of Michigan football supporter
and loved to attend games with his daughter, Jenna. He was
a committed and devoted sports dad to his son, Ferg, guiding,
driving, and attending all his events throughout his sports
career.
Doug also had a love of music. He danced his way through
life attending 87 Grateful Dead concerts. Whether he was
trekking to concerts, spinning records, or dancing at home,
music was a source of joy for Doug and those he danced with
throughout his days.
Doug is survived by his beloved wife, Lynne Marie Roby and
two children, Jenna Esther Roby and Douglas Fergusson
Roby IV, "Ferg", his mother, Mary McKean Roby, sister, Patsy
Roby Gotfredson (Edward) and brother Charles Clippert
Roby, many nieces and nephews and brothers and sisters
in-law.
A funeral service to celebrate Doug's life will be held at
11:00am on Saturday, October 14th at St. John's Episcopal
Church 2326 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201.
Visitations will be offered 3-7 pm Thursday, October 12th and
Friday, October 13th at Verheyden Funeral Home on 16300
Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230. In the Spring,
Doug will be buried in the cemetery at Pointe Aux Barques,
Michigan, where he enjoyed summers with family and friends
his entire life. He held the position of Golf Chairman, running
two golf tournaments each summer. His heartfelt speeches at
the awards ceremony will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Donations can be
made by check or online to the Grosse Pointe Foundation for
Public Education. There is a separate -501 C3-fund set up in
Douglas Fergusson Roby III's name and will be used to support
specific criteria of students in need.
Grosse Pointe Foundation for Public Education-GPFPE
20601 Morningside Dr.
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236 A fund in Doug Roby's honor is currently
being established to help students in need.
(Specify in memo line-Doug Roby Fund-call GPFPE if you forget to indicate this)
Please share memories with the family at their online guest book at
Verheyden.org.