Robert Horen "Bob" Luscombe

Bob Luscombe of Gull Lake
Dean Emeritus of WMU College of Fine Arts

Robert Horen "Bob" Luscombe, age 77, of Gull Lake (Richland, MI) died Saturday, June 8, 2013 at the University Of Michigan Hospital after a valiant fight with leukemia. Born on September 12, 1935 in Birmingham, Michigan, Bob was the son of Charlotte and Thomas L. Luscombe. Bob received both undergraduate and graduate education at Wayne State University. He finished his career with 26 years at Western Michigan University, beginning as Assistant Dean of the newly formed College of Fine Arts, later becoming Associate Dean, Acting Dean, Chair of the Theatre Department, and finally he served as Dean for 19 years. Bob's professional background reflects his passion for the arts. He was a founding member of the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, WMU's Partners in Dance (PID) Board, and Kalamazoo County's Education for the Arts Program. As an early president of both the Gilmore and PID, he helped shape the direction of the organizations. Bob also served as Director of the Michigan Youth Arts Festival for 15 years, bringing artistically talented Michigan youth to WMU for interactive instruction and performance opportunities. Prior to moving to Kalamazoo, Bob was the University of Michigan School of Music's Assistant to the Dean, and the first Performing Arts Coordinator of the Michigan Council for the Arts. He is the recipient of the College of Fine Arts Outstanding Service Award, the Governor's Arts in Education Award, Wayne State University's distinguished Alumni Award, Art Serve Michigan's Arts Advocate and Educator of the year awards, and is a lifetime, honorary member of the Michigan Dance Council.
Bob was well loved by family and friends and is survived by his wife, Faye Luscombe; a sister, Barbara Button of Bloomfield Hills, MI; a brother Thomas "Tucker" Luscombe of Fairhope, AL and many nephews, nieces, grand nephews and nieces.
A Memorial Service will be held in Bob's honor on Friday, June 14th at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Richland, 8047 Church Street, with a time for fellowship in the Gull Prairie Room of the Church immediately following the Service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Luscombe Collaborative Projects Endowment of the College of Fine Arts, c/o Western Michigan University College of Fine Arts, The Dalton Center, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008-54221. The Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Richland Chapel is in charge of all the arrangements.