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Principal Bob Reitsma and his wife, Deb Reitsma, a teacher at the school, will retire from the school at the end of May. Bob's last day is June 15.

Bob said he is proud that the school now has a third generation of attendees.

"I have such a blast teaching," he said. "I've never thought it was a drudgery. I feel the Lord called me to this."

While his kids joke that he's really 30 in terms of age, the 64-year-old head administrator said, "I love what I'm doing, but you run short of energy. Teaching is a high energy job."

Deb agreed with her husband.

"I'll miss the kids," she said. "Not only it fun because of comments, when we have devotions they say you need Jesus in your heart. They explain Christianity in a simple way. When they have snacks, they'll start singing 'Jesus Loves Me.'"

Deb said one thing about teaching is she won't miss report card time, when she has to evaluate her students.

Bob grew up in British Columbia and Deb in Massachusetts. The Reitsmas met and fell in love while students at Calving College in Grand Rapids. They both have master's degrees from the University of Nebraska and have four adult children: Jason of Lake Monticello, Va.; Melissa of Minneapolis; Elaine of Vergennes, Vt.; and Darlene of Grand Rapids.

Bob said he and his wife have always been led to teach at smaller schools, like Imlay City Christian.

"You have that person-to-person contact," he said. "In this school we have an incredibly unified staff. Students are saying, 'You can't retire,' but I see this school as a real family. We're one and will miss that. It's going to be tough on May 30 at 6 p.m. in the school's gym. They're going to have a retirement party for Deb and I. We'll miss the closeness -- the real desire to offer a Christ-like setting. It's been fun."

He will miss how close knit the school is. Because of that and the school's strong academics, Bob said students have done very well at Imlay City High School. Some have even gone on to be valedictorians.

"Bob has given of himself over and over and his dedication will be missed," said Susan Knust, the school's secretary, adding that everyone will miss the couple once they're retired. "We'll miss Deb's upbeat personality."

Bob said in retirement he will devote more time to his woodworking hobby. Deb hopes to quilt more. The couple eventually would like to move to Grand Rapids to be closer to two of their grandchildren, but first must sell their Goodland Township home. Deb said the couple would like to participate in Calvin College's senior citizen program.

Replacements for the Reitsmas have not yet been determined by the school.

Imlay City Christian School is located on Capac Road in Imlay Township. The school has been in operation for 55 years and currently has an enrollment of 56 students.

Jennifer Decker can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8125 or jennifer.decker@lapeergroup.com.