ri s

Obituaries are updated regularly and archived on JN Online:
www.detroitjewishnews.corn

For The Children

public education. He was a guide
and mentor to all of us."
Dr. Gretchko's son Steven said
his father was the kind of man
eymour Gretchko, superin-
people aspire to be — from a
tendent of the West
moral point of view. "He believed
Bloomfield School District,
there was a right way to treat
accumulated countless local,
state and nationwide honors during his people, and that's the way he
acted," he said.
50-year career in education. And yet
"He believed in the promise of
he always answered his own telephone,
responded immediately to e-mails, and America and that that promise
can be fulfilled by public educa-
had personal contact with many of the
tion. When a new school was
6,420 students in his district.
built, he said it was a great day
Dr. Gretchko died March 19 of a
for America. He believed strongly
heart attack while playing his daily
in his children and strongly in his
game of racquetball at the West
grandchildren, and he believed
Bloomfield Jewish Community
the children in his schools should
Center. Emergency medical techni-
be treated as his children and
cians were on the scene within min-
utes, said David Sorkin, JCC executive grandchildren should be treated."
Rabbi Paul Yedwab of Temple
director.
Dr. Seymour Gretchko
Israel said his family moved to
"Dr. Gretchko was a very, very
beloved member of the Center and the West Bloomfield so that his chil-
Dr. Gary Faber, who will take over
Health Club," Sorkin said. "He will be dren could attend district schools. "I
really believe Sy Gretchko's leadership
as West Bloomfield's acting superin-
sorely missed."
is what made the school district what
tendent, said it was no coincidence
A resident of West Bloomfield, Dr.
that his colleague had been wearing
Gretchko was in his 20th year with the it is. I've been here 16 years and I've
never met anyone who didn't like and
that particular necktie. "That's what
township's school district. During that
time, all eight eligible West Bloomfield respect him. He was as kind and gentle his life was about — saving children,"
as any person I've ever known."
Dr. Faber said. "He was uncompro-
schools were named state exemplary,
mising in doing what he believed was
The love Dr. Gretchko felt for his
while six were named National Blue
in the best interests of children.
family was well known among his
Ribbon Schools. The district scored
"Sy Gretchko created a culture in
the West Bloomfield schools whereby
oi.4r behaviors reflect our beliefs. We
are going to continue to act on our
beliefs that public education is a crit-
ical force for the future of our coun-
try and that every child deserves the
best resources and opportunities that
can be made available. I intend-to
fulfill that vision that Dr. Gretchko
has
so deeply implanted in our
— David Gad-Harf,
school community."
West Bloomfield School Board member and executive director,
Dr. Gretchko is survived by his
Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit
wife of 49 years, Ilene; children,
Allan (Christine), Steven (Lisa) and
Susan; grandchildren, Andrew,
Allison, David and Benjamin, and
friends and co-workers — and that
first or second in numerous rankings
brother-in-law, Jack Frankford. He
love was reciprocated a hundred-fold,
of metro Detroit schools and its teach-
was son of the late Aaron and Rose
said Rabbi Yedwab, who will officiate
ers received three Milken Family
Gretchko and the brother of the late
Friday, March 22, at Dr. Gretchko's
Foundation National Educator awards.
Morris
Gretchko.
funeral.
Dr. Gretchko, who earned bache-
Funeral services will take place 2
'After finding out the shocking news
lor's, master's and doctoral degrees
p.m., Friday, March 22, at the Ira
from Wayne State University, was hon- [about Dr. Gretchko's death], his 8-
Kaufman Chapel. The West
year-old grandson, David, told his
ored as Michigan Superintendent of
Bloomfield School District will be
grandmother he wanted the tie his
the Year in 2000. In 1995, the West
closed on Friday in Dr. Gretchko's
grandfather was wearing at work the
Bloomfield school board named its
honor. The district will hold a
day he died. 'I want to wear it at my
newest elementary school after him.
memorial service at 1 p.m., Sunday,
bar
mitzvah,'
David
said.
"He was a true gentleman," said
March 24, at West Bloomfield High
"It
happened
to
be
a
'Save
the
school board member Beth Borson.
School.
Children' tie," Rabbi Yedwab said.
"He devoted his life to children and

DIANA LIEBERMAN

Copy Editor/Education Writer

S

"Dr. Gretchko's passion for public
education resonates in the Jewish
community."

❑

Like home delivery
of The
Detroit Jewish News.
It's a great gift to give
newlyweds, new
home-owners, new
parents, or treat
yourself to.
Stay in touch with
your community
and your world.

A

52-week subscription,
which includes
5 free issues
of Style Magazine
is just $52
($70 out of state)

Subscribe via phone
248.539.3001

Subscribe via internet
thejewishnews.com

Subscribe via
postal service
P.O. Box 2267
Southfield MI • 48034

DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

a Jewish Renaissance Media publication
30301 Northwestern Highway

Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Phone: 248.539-3001
Fax: 248.539-3075
Internet: www.detroitjewishnews.com

d

3/22

2002

137