Edward F. Havlik

Ed is survived by his wife, Nancy (Garnhart) Havlik; children: Laurie and Andy Bulson of Inverness, IL, Matthew Havlik of Holland, MI, and John and Kristi Havlik of Missoula, MT; 7 grandchildren: Drew, Maddy, and Jack Bulson, Paloma and Levi Havlik, and Gwyn and Jack Finn Havlik. He is also survived by two sisters, Laverne Lehman and Loretta Karnik, sisters and brothers-in-laws, Mary Ropar, Georgianna and Fritz Heinke, Joe Galbraith, and Jack and Phyllis Garnhart and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helena Leach and Ed Havlik, his mother-in-law, Janet Garnhart, beloved sister, Jean Havlik, and brothers and sister-in-law, Steve Ropar, Gaye Galbraith, and Mike Garnhart.

A real estate developer, homebuilder, and consultant, Ed attended Northern Michigan University from 1962-1967 and was president of the student body. He eventually served as President of the Board, an Emeritus Trustee, and was designated a distinguished alumni in 1983. After graduating with a degree in business administration, he went on to work for a national retail chain before becoming a sales manager for an international homebuilder. In his first year, his division sold over 1800 homes. He went on to acquire Chicago based homebuilder United Development from Urban Development in 1980 and over many decades, he built thousands of homes and developed real estate in Illinois Michigan, Arizona, Ohio, Tennessee, and Colorado, but his favorite home was the one he built and shared on the shores of Lake Michigan with his family. Later in life, Ed became an advocate for education of the underprivileged, earning a Doctor of Letters from Jordan College. He also enjoyed his work serving on the board of Comfort Research and mentoring many young entrepreneurs in business.

Known as “insufferably enthusiastic,” Ed carried with him a life is good attitude during all seasons of his life–the ebbs and the flows, the highs and the lows. Nothing was more important to him than caring and investing in his beloved family and friends whether by mentoring, cooking, celebrating life’s events, golfing, or being curious about their interests, successes, and learnings. He loved adventure in traveling, from skiing and hunting trips, to motorcycle adventures around the globe, to bareboating and scuba adventures, to fishing–whether on the big lake chasing salmon and perch or on Western rivers chasing white water and trout, no adventure was missed with his beloved family and friends. Ed also never saw a sunset, inversion, or green flash that he didn’t appreciate, value, and capture in a photo.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 8, 4:00pm-7:00pm (EASTERN TIME) at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th Street, Holland 49423. The Havlik family will be holding a private memorial celebration in memory of Ed. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Holland. www.langelandsterenberg.com