Dan Spaulding

Spaulding, Harvey Daniel (Dan), age 79 of Grand Rapids, MI, transitioned to life eternal, on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Dan was born on January 29, 1945 in Saginaw, MI to John and Gwendolyn Spaulding. He moved to Grand Rapids in 1984 to become News Director at Channel 8, WOOD-TV. Before joining TV-8, Dan served as News Director at KOMU-TV, Columbia, MO and on the faculty in the University of Missouri, Columbia School of Journalism. His booming voice and no-nonsense approach to communication were honed working as News Anchor and Producer in Green Bay, WI, in Saginaw, MI, and as Aide and Public Affairs Officer to the Commander, Training Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, San Diego. 

Dan graduated from the University of Michigan, earning BA and MA degrees in speech and Radio/TV/Film. While at Michigan, Dan served as the “Voice” of the bands, announcing the Marching Men of Michigan in the Big House. If you attended a game at Michigan Stadium in the late ‘60s, you heard him exclaim, “Band, take the field!”  He was also a member of the Druid Honorary Society and station manager of student radio station WCBN.

Dan’s lifelong work in communications included public relations. In 1989, he joined Seyferth PR and became a principal of the firm in 1994. An Accredited Public Relations Practitioner, Dan specialized in crisis communications for a variety of corporate, non-profit, and governmental clients. Active in the community, Dan volunteered on boards and committees for organizations like the United Way, Liz’s House, Ronald McDonald Charities, God’s Kitchen, the AIDS Foundation, and West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC).  An active member of Plymouth United Church of Christ (UCC), Dan anchored the bass section of the chancel choir for 3 decades.  He served as Moderator for both Plymouth and the Grand West Association of the Michigan UCC and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Conference UCC.

While working as news anchor and producer in Green Bay, Dan oversaw reporters, including the 10 p.m. beat reporter, Trisha Gorman. While Trisha was adamant that she did not date co-workers, Dan was undeterred, and they were married a year later on October 1st, 1977 at Union Congregational Church in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In 1982, Dan and Trisha welcomed their daughter Sarah, who was later joined by son Andrew in 1991. A solid sports dad, Dan was honored to announce volleyball games for Sarah’s East Kentwood state championship team as well as her Hillsdale College team.

Dan Spaulding had a larger-than-life personality. He could command the attention of any room by simply clearing his voice. His passing leaves a large-sized hole in the hearts of all of those who loved and continue to love him. 

Dan is survived by wife of 47 years Trisha, daughter Sarah (Chad) Sikkema, son Andrew, and grandchildren Quinton, Kellen, and Harper Sikkema. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Sue Spaulding, and nieces Kelsey (Nick) Caras and Emily Spaulding, along with two grandnieces. He was predeceased by his father John Spaulding, mother Gwendolyn Spaulding, and siblings Elizabeth and Keith Spaulding. 

In recent years Dan suffered from dementia and finally succumbed to congestive heart failure.  A visitation will be held on Friday, April 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Plymouth United Church of Christ, 4010 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508. At 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 20, a Celebration of Life service will be held at the church.

PLEASE in lieu of flowers or trees make all donations to United Church Outreach Ministries (UCOM).

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dan Spaulding, please visit our floral store.