In Memory of Tuffy
Dear Editor: I was blessed with the opportunity to teach and coach in the Sitka School District for many, many years and the generosity of the community in supporting the district’s teams and clubs was always amazing. It was important for me as a coach to shout out those who donated to allow so many families to afford to send their kids ‘‘on the road’’ in Alaska. But one donor always swore me to secrecy.
As the high school girls made their unprecedented run to four straight State Championships Tuffy Robards always called me down to the store and gave me a large denomination check “for the team” under the proviso that I not tell anyone about it. I was never comfortable with the arrangement, but Tuffy was not comfortable with letting anyone know of his generosity.
Wherever his next place in the universe is, his generous spirit will be well-known. I hope that he will not mind me letting those of us still in this reality know of his kind, consistent support of the young people in our community.
Thank you, Tuffy Robards, and rest in peace.
Bob Potrzuski, Sitka
