J & Lynne Hinga, Franklin, MI

Chuck Bell, I couldn't have said it better myself. Call him Mentor, call Him Coach, call him friend, but call him caring, Coach Tracy really was all about the students. He was the best, no disrespect to his peers intended. He never embarrassed a student in front of the class because he always saw the best in his kids, not the worst. As a football coach, he might chew you out, but well, it was more like your father correcting you. He was never mean, he just wanted you to be as good as he knew you could be. Coach always seemed to be genuinely interested in me as a student, as he was with every student and I always endeavored to hand him my best work. I tried out for football twice in high school, and quit both times because I didn't think I was good enough. Coach seemed genuinely disappointed both times. I always wondered if he saw something in me that I wasn't aware of. Regardless, he left the decision to me. My only regret is I didn't put out more for him. I saw Coach 5 years ago at a funeral visitation and he recognized me immediately. I mentioned that I thought about him often and remembered how he impacted my life. He got a crooked smile on his face and  said I needed to get a life. I hope he understood how much he meant to me. Marshall Weddle  BHS class of 1972

I am certainly not alone in my relationship with Keith.  He treated ALL of his students in the same manner.  He cared about each and every one.  He was invited to many class reunions because he meant so much to each of his students.  He was a teacher in a time when teachers went above and beyond to make certain their students got the best of what they had to give. 

After College and Graduate School, after a career out in the world, and after moving back to Bronson to care for my Father, Keith would always ask how things were going, as a friend.  He would not allow me to call him Mr. Tracy and would always address me as “Ding-A-ling-A-ling”.  I’m not alone.  He was a friend to all of his students, whether during the years we were in his classroom and/or on his practice field, or out in the world years beyond.  He will always be in my heart as one of my Mentors.  I’m not alone.  He touched many of us.

Charles Bell, Valedictorian, BHS Class of ‘78

Not only did Keith like traveling to Hawaii and Europe,  he liked Las Vegas as well. Every time he and Judy came here, they would call us ahead of time and we would either meet them for dinner at a rstaurant or bring them to our house to eat. He was one of those guys that you thought you knew forever and our conversations just picked up from the last time we were together.

I've never been to Bronson, Michigan.  I did promise Keith in our last phone conversation that I would try to get there before he died. I failed in that endeavor,  I will some day and will visit the school where he taught, visit his grave, and his wife, Judy.

I hope you folks in Bronson recognize Keith for the exceptional person he was.  I only knew the guy for a month or so - and he definitely had an impact on my life!

Bill and Gloria Troeger