The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/137378
M In Memoriam Bob Chappuis (Lettered 1942, 1946-47) Bob Chappuis might be the fourth man on Michigan's Mount Rushmore of greats, joining Heisman Trophy-winners Tom Harmon, Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson. He was the best player on a team that captured the 1947 national title in a post-bowl vote following a drubbing of USC in the Rose Bowl. over Italy on his 21st mission, rescued by an Italian partisan, and remained in the country for three months until the end of the war, moving from village to village to stay a step ahead of the Germans. Those who knew him well remember him as one of the finest Michigan has ever produced, a fierce competitor but a true gentleman. Tom Keating (Lettered 1961-63) Bob Chappuis, who passed away last year at the age of 89, was featured on the cover of Time magazine Nov. 3, 1947, the year in which he led the Wolverines to a national title. file photo "I am one of those guys who thinks he should have won the Heisman," former U-M fullback/linebacker and Chappuis teammate Dick Kempthorn said last June. "He had a competitive spirit in him that he just wouldn't quit. He wanted to be a winner, and while a lot of people do, it was a little more heated with him. "He was definitely a team player — like a coach on the field at the time. Even with the coaches, Bennie Oosterbaan and Fritz Crisler, he wasn't hesitant about talking and saying what was on his mind." Chappuis passed away June 14, 2012, at the age of 89, following a fall days earlier. His wife, Ann, and their four children surrounded the leader of Crisler's "Mad Magicians," so-called because of their wizardry on the field, at the time of his death. Chappuis first lettered in 1942 before World War II interrupted his career. He served as an aerial gunner and radio operator on B-25 bombers and was shot down Tom Keating's Michigan teams didn't fare as well as those that came before or after him, never finishing better than fifth place in the Big Ten, but the Chicago native still had a career to remember. He was U-M's MVP and an All-Big Ten tackle in 1963 before embarking on a long and distinguished NFL career with the Oakland Raiders. Keating died Aug. 31, 2012, of prostate cancer just two days shy of his 70th birthday. The Buffalo Bills drafted Keating in 1964. He left after two seasons to play for the Raiders from 1966-72, starting at defensive tackle in the 1967 season in which the Raiders went 13-1, beat the Houston Oilers 40-7 in the AFL Championship Game and lost 33-14 to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II. "He was a great football player because he was strong, quick and fast," former Raiders legendary coach John Madden told CBS. "He was a bright guy, and he had a lot of different interests that football players didn't have in those days. He loved to cook, he loved to study wines and he loved to ride his motorcycle in the offseason. "He enjoyed life, and he enjoyed a lot of different things in life. He was a great football player, but he wasn't all about football. There was a lot more to Tom Keating than that." Keating spent several years working as a private investigator before his death. Tom Coyle (Lettered 1970-72) A three-year letter winner for some of Bo Schembechler's best teams, Chicago native Tom Coyle started 32 games at right guard when U-M's dominance was just getting started. Michigan went 30-3 in his three seasons, was 21-2 in conference play and won two Big Ten titles. Coyle passed away Oct. 9, 2012, at the age of 62. Coyle was a 1972 All-Big Ten selection and an honorable mention All-American. "Tom was a good kid with good ability, 32 ■ The Wolverine 2013 Football Preview but more than that he was a real competitor," former Michigan assistant coach Jerry Hanlon, Coyle's offensive line coach, recalled. "He even helped us get more recruits from Chicago just because of the type of young man he was. The kids really liked him." Michigan's 3,978 net rushing yards in 1971 remains the second-best total in the history of U-M football, and the 229 first downs rushing that same year is still number one in the 133 years of U-M football in that category. The Wolverines rushed for a total of 9,321 yards and outscored their opponents 973-230 during Coyle's three seasons as a starter. Coyle was a captain on the 1972 squad along with All-American defensive back Randy Logan. Bennie McCrae (Lettered 1959-61) A Newport News, Va. native, Bennie McCrae excelled both on the gridiron and on the track for Michigan in his three years. He earned a spot in Michigan's Hall of Honor in 2002 after an outstanding athletic and professional career. McCrae passed away Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, 2012, after a long illness. McRae won four Big Ten titles over a two-year period competing for the Michigan track team. He was reportedly listed by Track and Field News as one of the top-10 hurdlers in the world in 1961. He is best known as left halfback for the football team, with whom he earned All-Big Ten honors. He played nine years in Chicago with the Bears and amassed 27 interceptions over his career (fifth in team history) and four TD interception returns (third in team history). After a brief stint with the New York Giants, McRae retired from the NFL in 1971 due to injury. The Hampton (Va.) Daily Press notes he spent a good portion of his life giving back to his hometown. His company, McRae Construction, built the New Hope Towers in southeastern Newport News on land that was passed down to him through his family. McRae's goal was to provide affordable housing to his old community. "He loved his community, he wanted to empower his community and give back to where he came from," his daughter, Kellan McRae-Johnson, told the Daily Press. "He grew up in an impoverished neighborhood, bettered himself and left, and wanted to share that knowledge and wealth with the people." Richard "Dick" Balzhiser (Lettered 1952-53) Dick Balzhiser's résumé drew attention in 2002 when U-M's 1953 spinning fullback