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n March, 1906, my Grandparents, my Grandparents, Roelof and Lammegien Bosscher-Ruiter with their three children, Niesje (Nellie) age 5 years, Lammegien (Elizabeth) age 3 and Pieter age 1, left Vroomshoop, Netherlands to sail to America in search of a better future. They joined other relatives who had migrated to America before and who were living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This is where most of their children, grandchildren and great-grand children still reside.

Roelof and Lammegien had eleven (11) children born to them. Four (4) of these children died shortly after birth or at a very young age. Roelof died at the young age of 52 of Bright’s Disease. My grandmother died at age 83. All of their children are now deceased. Emma was the last to survive and died at the age of 97 years in 2004. The Ruiter family have cherished and maintained the Christian religion we all inherited from our Great Grand Parents, Pieter and Niesje Baas Ruiter who remained in the Netherlands.

My parents, Elizabeth Haan-Ruiter and my father Enno Ralph Haan had three (3) children; Eunice Kathleen, now deceased, Robert Lee, (me) and Elaine Beth. There are 10 grandchildren, one of which is deceased, 27 great grand children and 6 great-great grand children.

I, Robert, was born September 14, 1928 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I was graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1946, Calvin College in 1953, and University of Michigan in 1955 where I majored in Psychology and Social Work. Most of my Professional life has been as a Psychotherapist. In 1964 I married Eleanor Everse Wisner. Eleanor died in 2002.

I have been interested in and involved with many activitiies as an actor, Director of Drama, baritone vocal soloist in Opera, leading roles in most of Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas, and our local Symphonic choir.

I have been world traveler as well as the USA and recently did a 3 ½ months World Cruise on the QE2. I was the Director for the Christian Reformed Church World Relief Organization in Amman, Jordan for two (2) years.

I retired in 1992 and moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and returned to Grand Rapids in 2000 where I continue to reside. I enjoy Gourmet cooking and entertaining dear friends and family members. Other interest include: outdoor gardening, raising orchids, a film collection of old classical movies and of course, working on my Ruiter Family genealogy. I share my home with my little 2 year old puppy, Ginger.

I am very receptive to learning more about my Ruiter extended family. In 2002 I met Jacob Albert Ruiter on the internet and received from him a large portion of my Family Tree information from his website. I have visited him and his family twice in Groningen, Netherlands and we have become very close friends.