Obituary: Donald Franklin Springer, of Lansing

July 29, 2021

Donald Springer

Obituary: Donald Franklin Springer, of Lansing

Donald Franklin Springer of Lansing, died Friday, July 16, 2021 in Ludington after an epic battle with leukemia.  Born in Lansing, Michigan to Kenneth and Madelyn Springer, Don is survived by brothers Ron (Linda) Springer, Steve (Patricia) Springer, and sister Barbara (Jim) Cooley, nephews Colin (Elizabeth Goldthwaite) Springer, Sam Springer, niece Emily Springer, and great-nephew Judah Springer.  He is also survived by legions of the best friends anyone could hope to have.

A man of keen intellect and varied interests, Don exemplified what was right with the world. He was loving, looked out for friends, neighbors, and community, cheered for underdogs (and the MSU Spartans – sometimes the same), embraced diversity, and called out injustice when he saw it.  Family was important to Don and he was surrounded and cared for by family throughout his extended illness.

A gifted athlete, Don’s favorite interests included softball, hockey, and golf, and his sportsmanlike behavior made everyone happy just to have played the game with him.

He took every loss that illness brought him along the way (and there were many) with grace, dignity, and good humor.  He was beloved by nearly all who knew him and generous with all he had, both heart and wallet.  His smile and laugh were infectious and his larger-than-life adventurous nature was legendary.  He loved all of his travels whether by motorcycle, car, boat, plane or train, and loved the outdoors whether camping, fishing, hunting, or sitting around a campfire with his friends.  He had a twinkle in his eye that made him both lovable and forgivable, especially when he stole the “eyes” out of cinnamon rolls or stuck a spoon into the center of the perfect pie his sister had just removed from the oven.  His charm caused that same sister to make a special birthday cake for him every year, and sometimes twice a year and only once did he have to threaten litigation to get her to produce that caramel-frosted delicacy.

The family would like to recognize the love and devotion of his many friends and especially his gifted, loving, and compassionate doctor, Izzat Carouba, MD and his skillful oncologist, Brett Brinker, MD who always kept Don in the driver’s seat.

Cancer is a ruthless adversary but Don addressed it with his best assets: his strength, courage, determination, grit, humor, grace and dignity.  A celebration of the life of this wonderful man will be held at a later date.  Those interested are invited to contribute to a scholarship being established in honor of Dr. Izzat Carouba (details forthcoming), or to simply keep kindness and generosity at the forefront of all interactions with others in memory of our beloved Don.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.oakgroveludington.com.

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