Maris P. Krumins, 86, passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Sem Haven in Milford, Ohio.

Maris is remembered by his son, Karl; daughter, Mara; son-in-law, Andrew; and grandsons, Jack and Erik. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sara "Sally," and his parents, Karlis and Vita.

Maris was born in Rīga, Latvia, on May 15, 1940. In 1944, during World War II, his family fled their home to escape the advancing communist Russian Red Army. They obtained passage to a displaced persons camp in Germany before immigrating to the United States. After a short stay in Quincy, Massachusetts, the Krumins family settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan. There, Maris attended grammar school, became proficient in English, graduated from high school, and was active in the Latvian community. He continued his education at Grand Rapids Junior College and graduated from Purdue University in 1962 with a degree in psychology. Maris went on to study law at Indiana University, where he met his future wife, Sally, and earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence. Maris passed the Indiana Bar exam in July 1965 and married Sally in August 1965.

Maris initially worked in the Indiana Law School dean's office before accepting a position as an attorney for the U.S. Labor Relations Board. In 1969, Maris accepted a position teaching business and labor law at Ferris State College and moved the family to Big Rapids, Michigan. Maris loved teaching, earned Instructor of the Year in 1972, and took pride in never missing a class. He "retired" in 2003 but continued teaching part time until 2006, instilling business law principles in Ferris students for more than 37 years. Maris was a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, the Tri-State Business Law Association, and the American Business Law Association.

Throughout his life, Maris enjoyed chatting with whomever crossed his path, reading (history and legal thrillers), working out daily, and following sports. He always started his day with coffee and enjoyed ending it by relaxing with his daily newspapers and a beer for dessert. Maris ran track in high school and played club soccer at Purdue. He became an avid spectator of boxing, baseball, and hockey. He followed Ferris hockey from its beginnings in 1975 and was known for his collection of NHL team T-shirts, especially those featuring the Detroit Red Wings.

A celebration of life is being planned for a later date. Memorial donations may be made in Maris's honor to the American Latvian Association (https://alausa.org/en/participate/donate-to-ala/)