Dennis R. Corbin obituary
Corbin, who had been battling cancer for four years, suffered a catastrophic stroke at his home March 6 and died peacefully at Bronson Methodist Hospital the following day. He had planned on retiring at the conclusion of the current academic year.
"Today is a day of true sadness for all of us as we begin to say goodbye to Dennis. There was never a person more true to the spirit of being a Bronco than Dennis. Dennis gave 36 years shaping the lives of generations of Broncos for life," said WMU Athletic Director Kathy Beauregard.
"His dedication to WMU and our Broncos is embedded in our University culture forever. His Bronco spirit will be with us always as we continue to 'Fight Onward for the Brown and Gold.' At this same time, we were very fortunate to witness the love Dennis has for his children Natalie and Nick and to witness the once-in-a-lifetime love he had for his wife Gayle. Our Bronco hearts break for all of Dennis' family."
Dennis Corbin
Corbin, of Kalamazoo, joined the WMU staff in 1982 as the head trainer in the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. In the ensuing decades, he supervised the WMU Broncos' athletic training and strength and conditioning staffs and oversaw student-athlete conduct.
According to the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, his most rewarding experiences at the University were associated with being a supervisor for various athletics teams over the years and the mentoring and positive impact he was able to have on the well-being of thousands of WMU student-athletes across four decades.
Corbin was inducted into the Michigan Athletic Trainers Society Hall of Fame in 2014 in recognition of his activities, contributions and service to enhancing the profession of athletic training in the state of Michigan. He also earned the society's Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award in 2009.
In addition to his staff supervisory duties, Corbin oversaw drug testing and student welfare issues and served as the supervising athletic director for the men's and women's soccer programs as well as the women's golf program.
He earned a bachelor's degree in athletic training and physical education from Central Michigan University in 1976 and a master's degree in the same field from the University of Arizona in 1979. Corbin came to Kalamazoo after three years as an assistant athletic trainer at Bowling Green State University.
Services
Services will take place at 4 p.m. Monday, March 12, in the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, in Kalamazoo.
A reception will follow in the Life Story Center.
Remembrances
The family obituary and a message book are available at obits.mlive.com/obituaries/kalamazoo. Messages and more information also are available by visiting the personalized webpage at lifestorynet.com.
Memorial gifts may be made directly to one of the following:
WMU-Gary Fund
Read Fieldhouse
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5406
West Michigan Cancer Center
200 N Park St
Kalamazoo MI 49007