Raymond Peter Dornbusch

Raymond P. Dornbusch of Traverse City, Michigan, returned to his heavenly home on Thursday, September 14, 2023. He was born on August 13, 1961 in Grand Rapids, MI to R. David and Carol (Van Der Hyde) Dornbusch.

Ray grew up in Midland, Michigan with his sister Cathi, where his father worked for Dow Chemical and mother worked as a school librarian. His childhood was filled with summer roadtrips to many National Parks, instilling a lifelong love for the outdoors. His enthusiasm for business and his entrepreneurial spirit blossomed as a young child holding backyard "carnivals" and reselling candy and soda to his classmates. When he was thirteen he took an advertisement out in the local paper offering his "expert" services as a bike repairman. That repair business later transformed into a bike resale shop in his parents' garage, and then into a bona fide bike shop, Ray's Bike Shop, which he sold before heading off to the University of Michigan to study engineering and business.

Ray married the love of his life, Linda (nee Wildman) Dornbusch on October 20, 1984, while in the last year of his MBA studies at UM. His career in marketing would take him to Procter & Gamble, Johnson Wax, and finally Pacific Coast Feather Company. In Seattle, Ray became interested in the burgeoning tech industry, was one of the first angel investors in Amazon, and founded Avenue A, an internet marketing company later acquired by Microsoft. Along the way Ray and Linda had three children, Brandon Dornbusch, Krista (Tsai) Dornbusch, and Kara (Guy) Dornbusch. Ray balanced his demanding career by serving as the coach for many of his children's sports teams, going to orchestra concerts, and serving as an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 30.

In 1998, Ray and Linda decided to move back to their home state to Traverse City, which they both enjoyed visiting as children. In "retirement" Ray's restlessness impelled him to open Espresso Bay in downtown Traverse City, to bring the espresso he loved in Seattle to his new hometown. Ray filled most of his days following the stock market and the Lions, spending time with friends and family, and delighting in his nine grandchildren. He had a deep faith in Jesus Christ, and strived to emulate his teachings in daily life. In the last decade of his life, Ray traveled the world to plant churches and preach the gospel with Biglife. He will be remembered as a loyal, kind, and generous friend to those who got to know him.

Ray is survived by his wife of 39 years, Linda L. Dornbusch; loving children Brandon S. Dornbusch and daughter-in-law Charlotte Dornbusch, Krista M. Tsai and son-in-law Jed Tsai, Kara E. Guy and son-in-law Daniel Guy; grandchildren Mary, Maggie, Matteo, Miles, Olivia, Lillian, Joseph (JD), Mira, Anna; sister Catherine (Cathi) Exantus and brother-in-law Joseph Exantus; parents R. David and Carol Dornbusch; nephew Jordan Exantus, niece Camille (nee Exantus) Fujisaki, niece Molly (nee Kroon) Buxton, and nephew Adam Kroon. Ray was preceded in death by his mother-in-law Dale Wildman and niece Zahra Exantus, uncle Jacob ("Jack") Kroon, and aunt Margaret (nee Dornbusch) Kroon.

There will be a visitation from 10:00 AM until noon at New Hope Community Church at 5100 Bethesda Ct., Williamsburg, MI 49690. The funeral service for Ray will proceed at noon at New Hope Church. Pastor Craig Trierweiler will be presiding. A reception at New Hope Church will follow the funeral service.

Those wishing to honor Ray and offer expressions of sympathy for the family are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to New Hope Community Church; or to Biglife, PO Box 110431, Naples, FL 34108 or online at https://big.life/give/