Roy Allen Hankis

1943 - 2024

Roy Allen Hankis, ASID, NCIDQ, professional interior designer, age 81, died quietly at his home within the American House, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, on Thursday, August 15, 2024. His death is attributed to a long illness with Parkinson's disease. He passed away peacefully, and comfortable in his well-appointed environment surrounded by the people and the things that he loved.
Roy was born on May 24, 1943 in Greenville, Michigan to the late John Leroy and Nila A. (Taylor) Hankis. He received his Diploma in Interior Design in 1964 from the Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Encouraged by Kendall, Roy travelled on a Grand Tour of more than 88 countries. Post graduate studies were completed at the Cranbrook Academy of Art through 1971. Roy became a professional interior designer of merit and was one of the first within his field to qualify for, and pass the rigorous NCIDQ (National Council of Interior Design Qualification) exam in Michigan and subsequently became a Professional Member of the American Society of Interior Designers. He is listed as an American Interior Designer by Marquis Who's Who as noteworthy.

Roy was the Director of Design of several commercial design firms in Grand Rapids and Detroit, Michigan from 1964-1973. Roy was encouraged by his father, a builder and his mother, a bookkeeper, to open his own practice. Roy Allen Hankis Interiors, Inc. was established in 1974 and Roy served as CEO and principal designer throughout a long and successful career. He served as an adjunct Associate Professor of Design at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Michigan for many years starting in 1981 and was a trustee of the JONIRO Investment Company, Southfield, Michigan. Roy was a set designer for the Lexington Village Players as well as a contributor to the Native American Casino Magazine. Further, he was selected to design spaces for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra/ American Society of Interior Designers Showhouses in the years 1985,1991,1993,1996 and 1999. He was voted 'Best of Show', at the Detroit 'Design Live' presented at the Michigan Design Center. Roy was invited to design a room in the 1995 Designer Showhouse named Health House which paid special attention to sustainable and environmentally-friendly materials. Additionally, he designed a space for the Birmingham Junior League at the Michigan Design Center Celebrity Room event with Michigan's then First Lady Paula Blanchard. Memberships included The Founders Society of the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the American Society of Interior Designers where he held the elected positions Director of the Michigan Chapter 1974, Treasurer 1992-1993, and Vice President 1997. Further memberships included the Christian Business Men's Committee, the Detroit Rotary and The Detroit Yacht Club. Roy's designs were published in many newspapers and magazines including, but not limited to, 14 Detroit Free Press-Cover Stories.

Roy spent decades building and maintaining his well-respected reputation at providing complete interior design services for his clients. His firm took great care in efficiently managing and installing impressive design statements for both residential and commercial properties throughout Michigan and the contiguous United States. Through his long career, his business became known as largely sustained from repeat customers. Roy Allen Hankis Interiors, Inc. specialized in the interior design of Funeral Homes, a niche market, where his design solutions were called upon, again and again. His creative talent combined with a keen business acumen served his clientele well.

Roy enjoyed his clientele, personally and professionally, while entertaining his clients, family and friends at his several beloved water-side homes. He especially enjoyed his corner 28th-floor penthouse suite in the iconic Detroit high-rise cooperative, 1300 East Lafayette designed by Gunnar Birkerts. He lived there for 40 plus years, enjoying his view of the Detroit River, Belle Isle and many passing freighters while always endeavoring to spend time at his weekend homes in Lexington and Grand Haven, Michigan alternating weekend visits between both homes.

Roy Hankis was a professional man possessing a quality of character, substance and fortitude that clients trusted and respected. He was fun-loving and a jokester, a very dear friend to many, a protecting 'older brother' figure to some, a good neighbor to all, a respected design colleague, and an interior designer of distinction to hundreds of clients. He was loved and admired, while his life of exemplary service touched nearly countless people in all walks of life.
Those who never knew Roy in his prime, or much about his long and impressive professional life and career, were fascinated and entertained to hear stories from and about him. To see his lovely downtown penthouse home, read articles about him, and to see his life in pictures and the little treasures he kept or collected. There was always a light in Roy that shined behind his twinkling eyes and mischievous grin. A fight in him that was a surprise to many as he struggled with the effects of his disease and its frustrations. Roy was loved. His last days were filled with dignity. His bespoke surroundings were polished and well-cared for. The attentive care that a good man deserved was bestowed upon him in a joyous and loving manner.

Roy is survived by, and will be missed by, many dear friends, family, neighbors, colleagues and clients. Private graveside services were held at East Montcalm Cemetery near Greenville, Michigan. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Roy's online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit:
www.MichiganCremation.com

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christiansen's Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, 616-754-5638.