'Such high regard': Longtime Brighton cross country coach, Bob Ritsema, dies at 82

BRIGHTON — Brighton's longtime cross country coach, Bob Ritsema, died Monday, July 22. He was 82.

Affectionately known as “Ritz,” Ritsema coached the boys cross country team at Brighton High School for 45 years, leading the Bulldogs to a pair of state titles. He also worked as a physical education teacher and clock operator for football and basketball games. He was a track official. He retired from teaching in 2004 and coaching in 2015.

But “Ritz” will be remembered for much more — for wearing his emotions on his sleeve and building a close community of runners.

Gary Meehan, a former Brighton girls cross country coach who worked with Ritsema, said he was “one of the most eccentric individuals” he’s ever known.

“He always had a smile on his face,” Meehan said. “I only saw him angry maybe twice in my career. He always had a little laugh at the end of everything he said. He was very knowledgeable about running.”

In high school, Ritsema ran for Grand Rapids Christian. He started his coaching career in 1965 at Morenci. He was later an assistant for Western Michigan University and coached for one year at Niles Brandywine. He became coach at BHS in 1970.

Twice, his teams won state championships: in 1978 and 1994. Meehan noted both teams placed second in their regionals, but Ritsema guided them to titles at the state finals.

“That’s just a good indication of his coaching — getting the kids motivated to perform at the right time,” Meehan said.

Ritsema was known for wearing an orange knit cap while coaching, no matter what season it was.

“Everyone knew where he was on the course. ... It’d be very visible to everybody,” Meehan said.

Chris Elsey, the current boys cross country coach, worked as an assistant under Ritsema for two seasons. Ritsema “built a tight-knit community of runners," Elsey said.

“There are definitely some heavy hearts these last few days, and some voids that will be hard to fill going forward," Elsey said.

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Ritsema was Elsey’s physical education teacher when he was in middle school. Elsey competed in track and field at Brighton High but not cross country. Elsey said Ritsema is “held in such high regard” by the Brighton community.

“I’m thankful to have had him as a teacher and to coach with him,” Elsey said. “He established one of the top cross country programs in the state at Brighton.”

Ritsema kept in touch with runners over the years, sending cards for birthdays and holidays.

“He wore his emotions on his sleeve, and sometimes there were some pretty big emotions, but he always wanted what was best for those kids,” Elsey said. “He wanted to see them develop and succeed on the course and later in life.

“He touched a lot of lives.”

— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@livingstondaily.com . Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan .

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: 'Such high regard': Longtime Brighton cross country coach, Bob Ritsema, dies at 82