Robert L. Kregel, former president of family-founded publishing company Kregel Inc., passed away on June 24, 2011, at the age of 92.

Kregel was born June 9, 1919, to Lena and Louis Kregel.

Robert Kregel

After his father died in 1939, Robert Kregel took over the family used-book

business at the age of 20 and expanded the Grand Rapids, Michigan, company into a publishing house and bookstore chain.

Robert ‘Bob’ Kregel was the retired President of Kregel, Inc., a 102 year-old family business.

Largely influenced by Robert Kregel’s vision and godly leadership, Kregel Inc. now includes Kregel Publications, Editorial Portavoz, Kregel Parable Christian Stores, and the former Kregel Used Books; together these divisions offer more than 100 years of combined bookselling and publishing expertise.

According to an online obituary, Kregel’s life was exemplified by his devotion to active ministry, generous spirit and high ethical standards. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters degree by the Grand Rapids Theological Seminary for his lifetime of promoting resources for furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Active at Calvary Church, he served as a Sunday School Superintendent and a member of several of its boards and committees. He also served for many years on the Mel Trotter Ministries Board.

Current Kregel, Inc. president, Jim Kregel, remembers the passion his father had for the Christian publishing industry.

“My dad loved connecting people with books,” said Jim. “He loved books, and he loved sharing them with others. My dad’s great legacy is how he saw the best in others and tried to help them,” he said.

Robert Kregel’s life was dedicated to ministry. He was a founding member of the Christian Booksellers Association and served a two-year term as the association’s president. He was also active in local nonprofits, including Mel Trotter Ministries and Calvary Church.

Kregel received numerous awards and commendations in his lifetime, including the 1983 Small Business Person of the Year award by the Small Business Council of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and, in 1989, the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. In 2004, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary gave Kregel an honorary doctorate of letters degree.

Kregel was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Betty. She went to be with the Lord five months earlier on January 17, 2011.

He will be dearly missed by his children, Ronald (Suzanne) Kregel, Jan (Paul) Anderson, Jim (Kathie) Kregel, Jodie (Pete) Wollman, and Kerry (Dan) Schmock, all of whom knew they could always count on his unconditional love and support.

Also treasuring his godly legacy are his 14 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren, with the anticipated arrival of another in September.