GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Grand Rapids Public Schools is mourning the death of a longtime Zoo School teacher.
Dennis Kretschman started having health problems during the school day Monday. He was taken to the hospital, where he died of cardiac arrest.
“Mr. K served GRPS schools for 45 years,” Zoo School Principal Greg Ramey said. “He’s a legend.”
Kretschman spent decades touching the lives of students, colleagues and his family. He was remembered Tuesday as not only an educator, but also a life coach of sorts who passed on valuable skills and a passion for nature.
“If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be the student I am. I wouldn’t be going the direction I am going,” former Zoo School student Alexander Dyke, now a senior at City High Middle School, said. “I want to go on to be a biology major. It was because of him, because of zoology. That really drives me to do what I am passionate about.”
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