Longtime West Michigan Referee Todd Geerlings, 67, Passes Away After Multi-Organ Failure, Survived By Wife Dana And Kids
Matthew Miller
Published May 15, 2026
Longtime West Michigan Referee Todd Geerlings, 67, Passes Away After Multi-Organ Failure, Survived By Wife Dana And Kids
On June 8, Todd was airlifted via the University of Michigan to Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit as he faced liver and kidney failure.
June 12, 2026
This article was last updated by Manoj Gadtaula on June 12, 2026
Todd Geerlings passed away peacefully on June 10 at Henry Ford Hospital after battling multi-organ failure, surrounded by his wife, Dana, and their sons, Aric and Brandon.
He was a passionate sportsman, educator, and leader whose life touched many people across different paths from classrooms to football fields.
He in education, serving in roles from custodian to superintendent, but his heart also belonged to sports.
Todd, 67, was a longtime referee and crew chief for Big Ten football, often leading games in front of massive crowds and on national TV.
He also officiated Division I basketball and took part in 10 bowl games, which he was incredibly proud of.
Honoring Todd: A Loving Family Man, Sports Official, and Generous Soul Remembered Through the Things He Loved
Todd had an exciting and varied career, including time spent as an Aflac benefits consultant and developing creative community projects, like building a water park for kids to learn and exercise.
Whether coaching a team, leading a school, or cheering from the sidelines, Todd put his full energy and love into everything he did.
Todd had suffered many concussions, at least 17, and chose to donate his brain to Boston University to help research CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), a condition that affects many athletes.
He also donated his eyes so that someone else could receive the gift of sight.
Todd was a loving husband, a proud father, a joyful grandfather, and a loyal friend.
He adored his new grandbabies, Gunnar and Summer, and loved spending time with his granddaughters, Sidney, Sadie, and Samantha.
His booming voice, strong opinions, and huge heart will be deeply missed by all who knew him, including the family dogs, Riley and Charley.
To honor him, his family suggests watching an old Big Ten football game, a Seinfeld episode, a Vietnam War documentary, or even tuning into Fox News with a smile, just as Todd would.
His son, Aric, shared that with Father’s Day approaching, the timing of his loss is tough.
Welp here goes nothing…
He may have been your Teacher, Coach, Principal, Superintendent, Referee, colleague, or friend : to me and my brother he was just Dad.
I could write on and on about his accomplishments but I’ll save that for a different day. He passed away yesterday at 3:03 PM . It is with a heavy heart that I pass this along but I know this for sure, my Dad did and brought a lot of good to this world. He had a big personality , was a friend to almost anyone within an earshot of his voice which carried at least 100 yards of a football field at a time…
Rest in Peace, Todd Geerlings!
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Todd began as a math and computer teacher and coach at Muskegon Catholic Central and later worked in similar roles at Grant Public Schools and West Ottawa High School.
- Over the years, he held leadership positions, serving as principal at Fruitport Community Schools and Kentwood Public Schools, and ultimately became the Assistant Superintendent at Mona Shores Public Schools.
- Todd studied at Hope College and later earned a degree in Educational Administration from Central Michigan University.
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