Most of us have our obituaries published — and our life celebrated — only after we pass away.
Bob Eleveld wasn’t most of us.
Upon learning that his time was coming to a close due to cancer, Eleveld — whose daughter, Kerry, writes for Daily Kos — decided to gather family and friends together to celebrate his life while he was still living.
Eleveld published what his family is calling a "nobit" in the obituary section of The Grand Rapids Press last week.
In that article, he explained he was still among the living and invited friends and family to join him for a "celebration of life" open house on Saturday, March 18.
Hundreds of friends and family turned out Saturday to celebrate the life of the prominent Grand Rapids attorney and local political figure.
The next day, Eleveld died peacefully in his bed while the University of Michigan basketball game flickered on the television. He was surrounding by his family, who read him the notes of love, respect and appreciation left by those attending Saturday's event.
Eleveld chaired the Kent County Republican Party at a much different time — when moderate voices like Bill Milliken, Mark Hatfield, and West Michigan native Gerald Ford were prominent in their party. In 2004, he ran for state representative as a moderate Republican.
More recently, in 2012 he co-chaired the campaign of Democratic congressional candidate Trevor Thomas, Michigan’s first openly LGBT congressional candidate. I had the pleasure of working for that campaign.
While Mr. Eleveld and I didn't share political philosophies, I admired his upbeat attitude, his commitment to the community, and his willingness to think beyond party labels. It’s hard not to see his passing as more than just the death of a man, but also as the continuing death of reason and moderation in the party he once led.
Condolences to Kerry and to their entire family.