Bob Toft, retired Grand Valley State University dean and director, passed away on Jan. 28 at the age of 81.

He has been a leader in the GVSU community since he arrived in 1972 as the founding dean of College IV. He went on to become the director of federal grants before retiring in 2000.

Toft continued to work in the community after his retirement when he established and began coordinating the Gay Married Mens’ Association, located in Grand Rapids.

The Toft family has requested that instead of sending flowers to the hospital, donate money to GVSU’s LGBT Resource Center or the Faith Hospice in Grand Rapids.