George Van Amburg

George Henry Van Amburg, 74, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 1, 2017, in Lansing, Michigan. He was born December 16, 1942, in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Anson Radford Van Amburg and Dorothy Wilhelmina Katherine Thompson Van Amburg.

He moved to Michigan in 1960 to attended Michigan State University, where he graduated with a BS in Physical Science, and an MS in Microbiology. He went on to earn an MS from the University of Michigan in Public Health Statistics. He spent his entire career working in public health for the State of Michigan Department of Public Health (and Human Services), including positions as director of quality control for biologic products, where he worked developing and overseeing the production of vaccines, director of the survey unit, and finally as the State Registrar and Director of the Center for Health Statistics, until his retirement in 1997. During this time he served on many state and national committees, including National Academy of Science initiatives and the National Association of Public Health Statistics and Information Systems, where he served as president and was a strong advocate for improving health status. During his career he received many citations and awards for his accomplishments and contributions, including the Roy Manti award from the Michigan Association for Local Health. He was active in many activities and served as a baseball coach and Cub Scout leader to many children in DeWitt, and loved teaching and mentoring them. He had a great love for music, art, literature, travel, competitive silhouette shooting, painting, creating and teaching pottery, quilting and woodworking. In later years he developed a passion for the duplicate bridge game, competing around the country in tournaments; and teaching, mentoring, directing and playing at the Lansing Bridge Center, achieving the rank of Gold Life Master.

George will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by the love of his life and wife of 54 years, Helen Scofield Van Amburg and his very much treasured and loved children, Dietra Van Amburg and Mark (Jackie) Van Amburg; grandchildren Christian, Kianna, Kyle, Cole and Cooper, and great-grandson, Carter.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 11:00 am at All Saints Episcopal Church, 800 Abbot Road, East Lansing. Visitation will be held Friday, June 9, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River, East Lansing, and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memories and online condolences may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com.