Russell (Buzz) Dunn VanHouten, Jr.

In a blog post this morning (7/11), consultant Fred Jacobs paid tribute and shared stories from his time with Buzz.  Read here.

The MAB has learned that longtime Detroit radio executive Russell “Buzz” Dunn VanHouten Jr. passed away at his home in Grosse Pointe Woods on July 4. He was 81.

VanHouten had a successful decades-long radio career in sales and management at Detroit radio stations, including WABX, WJR, WRIF, WLLZ and 97.1 the Ticket.  Following his radio days, he became a digital consultant in the advertising and marketing industry.  He most recently was a consultant to Blarney Stone Broadcasting in Graying.

He was born March 5, 1944, in Washington, D.C., to Russell and Claire (nee Tanner) VanHouten. Buzz and his family moved to Grosse Pointe when he was a child. He attended Austin Catholic Preparatory School in Detroit and then graduated from Cascia Hall Preparatory School in Tulsa, Okla. He attended Villanova University until he was drafted. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War and served in Hawaii.

After being honorably discharged, he continued to live in Hawaii until he returned to Detroit to care for his aging parents.

In 1985, VanHouten met the love of his life, Tracy Stewart. They were married six months later on Valentine’s Day 1986. They welcomed their son, RD, April 19, 1988. RD was the joy of their life. Sadly, RD passed away Dec. 11, 2019.

He is survived by Tracy, his sister-in-law, Wendy Yancy (Verbon); and nieces and nephews, Alexandra, Dillon, Richie (Natalie), Elaine, Karen, Tessa (Jason) and Cindy (Edgar). Buzz was predeceased by his son, RD; brother, Pete VanHouten; sister, Pat Streiff; niece, Laura Boucher; and brother-in-law, Richard Stewart.

Visitation will occur from 2 to 8 p.m. this Monday, July 14, at Chas. Verheyden Inc., 16300 Mack, Grosse Pointe Park. The family will receive guests at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, until the 11 a.m. memorial service at First English Evangelical Lutheran Church, 800 Vernier, Grosse Pointe Woods.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to 4 Paws 1 Heart, 4paws1heart.org/donations.