Dennis Kretschman

I have only just now heard of Mr. K's passing and I'm just devastated. And today, on the day of his colleague and friend Mr. H's passing, I have lost two beloved teachers. There's a lot I want to say but can't. My condolences to the Kretschman and Humphrey families.

there was a song he shared while in peru...something like one tin soldier

JBZS was my most valuable year of education.
I remember playing hockey on the pond, "quiet time" in the woods in all kinds of weather, learning how to enjoy being outdoors in the winter, making fires and cooking over them (with ashes for salt on the eggs? weird but true), canoeing, setting up tents and- even more importantly - how to roll up the tent to fit it in the bag afterwards, survival training, writing and performing environmental plays, logging company, zoology note-taking and...

I would like to add my voice to the chorus of praise for Dennis Kretschman. Forty two years have passed since I attended JBZ, and the man is still inside me. What an astounding year of learning that was! What a phenomenal group of teachers--Dennis, Phil and Dori, Jim, Mr. Van B. We were truly blessed. To Dennis' family, my sincerest condolences. To his students--if you are eleven or twelve years old, in forty two years you will still be thinking of Dennis every time you light your...

This past July I passed Camp Hayo-Went-Ha from the beautiful blue waters of Torch Lake. The sun was shining and the colors were so intense that it filled me with the kind of hope and optimism that we sometimes lose as we get older. There was the fire pit, still on the sandy point with the wood benches circled around. I pictured the warm night, fire burning, Mr. K with his guitar playing "Let It Be" as we sang along.

Thank you for teaching us about the things that are truly...

I was a lucky student of this legendary teacher, and I am so grateful that my daughter was able to spend the last few months in his class. He was obviously a remarkable person, having impacted the lives of so many. There are so many lessons that he taught me that I carry with me. I send my deepest condolences to his family and close friends. Thank you for sharing him with us!

I was a student of Dennis' early in his Zoo School tenure 1976-1977. Thinking back on all my years of schooling, 6th grade at Zoo School stands out as one of the best. Dennis and the entire Zoo School staff made all the difference. 50-60 students a year for 40+ years, Dennis influenced around 2500 students in his long career. Amazing.

Im so sorry about your loss. He sounds like a remarkable man. I'm just a GR citizen who read about his life and journey. A life well lived. My condolences to your family .

I curious could the Grand Rapids Scholl district consider renaming the school the Grand Rapids Dennis Kretschman Zoo School in his honor.

I think it would be a huge honor for the man who gave over 40 years to the school system and was an integral part of its creation and continued success. ...