Athletic director and 34-year district employee Robin Bye passed away Sat., April 12 at age 56 after a long battle with bile duct cancer dating back to August 2012.
Bye served the district as a girls basketball coach, middle school art teacher and middle school athletic director in his earlier years.
During his service in the athletic department, Bye saw through two girls basketball state titles and a new apparel contract with Adidas.
Rita Way, who worked as Bye’s athletic secretary, attributes his success as a leader to the attitude he brought to work every day.
“He never thought of himself first, he thought of others first,” Way said. “And that makes it a lot easier to get things done and care about others.”
Way, who worked closely with Bye over his 2 ½ year tenure, will also remember him by how he treated his students, athletes, and colleagues.
“He had a lot of years at Grand Haven and he was pretty high up there but you would have never known it if you met the guy,” Way said. “He put himself on the same level as everybody.”
Despite his loss, Bye’s legacy will continue to impact those who knew him.
“I’m a better person because Robin’s approach to work and life was as a team player,” Way said.
Bye is survived by his wife Kathy, his daughter Alicia and his son Eric.