Bob Krikke is a 1979 graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High who earned varsity letters in basketball and track and field. His most outstanding accomplishments were in track and field, where he set records in the high jump during three consecutive seasons. In his sophomore year he broke an 8-year-old school record in the high jump. His jump of 6’5” bettered the old record by more than 3”. Bob improved on that in his junior year when he placed third in the Regional Meet, which qualified him for the State Meet. In the State Meet he cleared 6’7½”, good for first place and an individual State Championship in his event.

Bob’s best season was his senior year. In the City League meet, he set a new high jump record of 6’10”, a record that will never be broken since the City League is no longer in existence. In the State Meet held at Houseman Field, Bob concluded his high school high jump career with a new school record of 6’11½”, making him the Class B State Champion. In that same meet, Bob took 2^ndplace in the long jump with a leap of 22’3½”, missing first place by only ½”. Bob’s performance helped the Eagle track and field team to a 6^th-place finish with 19½ points, of which 18 were scored by Bob. His school record in the high jump stood until 1987.

Following his senior season, Bob was invited to participate in the Tri-State Meet of Champions in the long jump. He was also asked to participate as a substitute in the high jump and cleared the winning height after the other competitors were eliminated.

Bob is grateful to Hall of Fame Coach Ken Bokhoven who allowed him to skip conditioning runs during practice “as long as he kept winning meets and breaking records.” Bob’s favorite and most effective high jump practice was doing two-hand reverse dunks on the basketball court.

One of Bob’s basketball memories was of the time in a game where he ended up on his back in the lane with the ball in his hands. To avoid a three-second violation, Bob shot the ball while lying down and made the basket!

In addition to his fond memories of track and field, Bob recalls the fun he had hanging out with friends in the corner by the old bookstore/courtyard every day. Many of those friendships remain today.

Bob has his own business as a builder and remodeler in the Grand Rapids area. He and his wife Sue (also a GRCH grad) are parents of Spencer and Alyssa Perry, Emily Krikke, and Nathan Krikke.

Bob’s Favorite Scripture:  Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, oh God, and know my heart.
Test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me
and lead me in the way everlasting.