Harold “Hud” Springsteen passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, September 1, 2017 under the loving care of his family and Hospice of Michigan.

He was born the son of Aden and Verda (Case) Springsteen in Lansing on November 1, 1929 and they preceded him in death. Additionally, Harold was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Erin Springsteen, step father Fred Olsen; brothers, John, Donovan, and Edwin Springsteen; sisters Loretta Potter, Lorna Wolfe, Madge Pontius; step brother, Ronald Olsen; step twin sisters, Marion Olsen and Marie Olsen; sister-in-law, Helen Springsteen; brothers-in-law, Durward Pontius and Jerry Potter. Also preceded in death by brother-in-law Harold King, sisters-in-law Ruth King, Becky King and Margaret Sheridan.

Hud is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy; daughter, Susan (Steve) Fish of Stanton; sons, Michael (Betty) Springsteen of St. Ignace, Nicholas (Cheryl) Springsteen of Greenville, Peter (Barbara) Springsteen of Traverse City, Andrew Springsteen of Lansing; grandchildren, Jacob (Amber) Springsteen, Sarah (Chad) Trumble, William (Samantha Radecki) Springsteen, Patrick Springsteen, Katherine (Nick Brown) Springsteen, Benjamin (Melanie) Fish, Joshua Fish, Anna Springsteen, Tom (Ashley) Springsteen, Cal (Lisa) Springsteen, Charlie (Kayla) Springsteen, Lily Springsteen, Grace (Sean Stynes) Springsteen; great grandchildren, Ella Springsteen, Edison Springsteen, Isaac Springsteen, Everett Springsteen, Samuel Springsteen, Arthur Fish and sister-in-law, Lois Springsteen of Sheridan; In-laws Keith King of Greenville, Ted Sheridan of Ohio, Benno and Carol Rosin of Portage and George and Joyce King of Greenville.

Hud was born on November 1st; All Saints Day, a fact which has not gone unnoticed throughout his many years as a fun loving prankster though mostly saintly guy. When he was a child, Harold’s younger sister Loretta could not pronounce his name. It always came out as “Hud” thus Harold became Hud to all his family and friends.
Hud graduated from Greenville High School in 1947 and from Michigan State University in 1953. He remained a life long MSU fan and he and Dot attended many of their home and away games, tailgating with college friends.
Hud also loved baseball. He was shortstop on the Greenville high school team and he also played for the Sheridan Independents after graduation. He was a loyal Tigers fan and many Saturday afternoons were spent listening to the Tigers on the radio or watching the games on TV.

A longtime resident of the Sheridan area, Hud became the School Superintendent of Sheridan Rural Agricultural School at age 29 and continued to be a School Superintendent for 25 years. He was instrumental in helping merge the Stanton and Sheridan schools creating Central Montcalm Public School where he served most of the rest of his career.

Hud retired in 1984. A quote from the Greenville Daily News at that time describes Hud as “a down to earth, sincere, intelligent, quiet spoken man, he seems to possess a general compassion for all people and a particular concern about children and education.”

After retirement he and Dot enjoyed traveling, hiking, biking, cross country skiing and spending time with the many grandchildren that came along.

Hud was a devoted father and family man who worked hard and loved to play. Summers were spent camping and canoeing or just hanging out at home playing “plastic” ball, driveway basketball or swimming and playing ball tag in Pearl Lake. Winter fun included skating, sledding and snowmobiling.

Hud was an avid reader, reading at least two newspapers each day. He usually had an ongoing book at his side and would often recommend favorite books to family and friends. He was also a crossword puzzle enthusiast and the whole family enjoyed doing crossword puzzles with him.

He was a very active member of the community serving on various boards and clubs such as Central Montcalm Community Foundation, Friends of the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail, Stanton Rotary, Sheridan Lions, Sidney State Bank Board and the Sheridan Community Hospital Board of Directors. He was also a lifelong member and supporter of the Sheridan Congregational Church. Hud will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation with Hud’s family is being held on Friday, September 8, 2017 from 4 to 7 PM at the Simpson Family Funeral Home in Sheridan.

A memorial service to celebrate Hud’s life is being held on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at the Sheridan Congregational Church beginning at 11 AM with Pastor Phil VanDop and Pastor Bob Braman officiating. Final inurnment will be at the Sheridan Cemetery.

For those wanting to make a memorial donation in Harold’s memory the family suggests donations be directed to either the Sheridan Congregational Church or the Central Montcalm Community Foundation and envelopes will be available at the church.

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