Old Town - Lansing, MI

Remembering Robert

This article was posted on Wed, Feb 27 2008 | Permalink

One year has passed since we lost Robert. I’m sure that each of you still have those moments when you think you seen him on walking down the street, stepping out of his truck or peeking in a store. It is still hard to imagine him being gone. Yet, every day, we must deal with the reality that we won’t see his smiling face. He is, however, here in every other way imaginable.

Robert’s dream was to transform our area from “North Lansing” to “Old Town.” He imagined an area full of artwork, festivals, rehabilitated buildings and a supportive community.  He dedicated his life to this dream, purchasing and rehabilitating buildings that house businesses like October Moon, Portable Feast & Friends and the iconic Creole Gallery.  He helped to create the organizations dedicated to revitalizing Old Town, sat on the planning committees for Old Town festivals, helped to foster a creative community for artists and more.

However, I think that the most important thing that Robert did for Old Town is to create a family.  There is not a business in the heart of Old Town that Robert did not play a role in. Whether it be from encouraging the business owner to take a leap of faith and open a new business, or to offering a kind word when things were tough or to lending that random piece of hardware or tool that only Robert seemed to have.  Robert helped to link each of us together, truly forming the Old Town family. I think that it is safe to say that Robert’s dream is becoming Old Town’s reality.

Though each of us honor Robert in our own personal way, I believe that Old Town’s residents, businesses, employees, property owners and patrons honor him on a regular basis by continuing to make Old Town a great place.  It is the simple acts: planting flowers, volunteering at events, saying hello to people you pass on the street, offering a kind word and lending a hand, that mean the most.  Every act of kindness is a tribute to Robert.

At the one year anniversary of the loss of Robert, I invite you to celebrate his life and dedication to Old Town. Please join us in the dedication of the Grand River Bridge, which will be renamed the Robert P. Busby Memorial Bridge, this Sunday, March 2 at 10:30a.m.