Tracy was a man of many interests and many talents. We have a million campfire stories – Moments in time where he touched our family’s lives or made us feel special. We know how he affected us and that he was a good man.
But we don’t know your stories. There are other lives he touched, friends he shared moments with that we were not honored to share. We would like to share them now. Share repeatedly. No memory or acquaintance is too small. We would like to celebrate his positive impact in your life.
Please talk to us, and in some way perhaps, talk to him too.
Ian: Your dad was vice chairman of the Sierra Research Group, a collaborative of really stellar professionals — all doctoral level — child psychiatrists, UNR professionals, etc. Our mission was to improve outcomes for the children of Nevada, through research and systems support.
He was just getting into developing a grant with us. And really was one of our chief strategists — hence the “master collaborateur.”
He was also tireless in pulling systems together to effect positive outcomes in the much stressed state of Nevada.
He also worked with my son about 8 years ago, doing electric therapeutic interventions like biofeedback and cognitive behavioral therapy. His work with Danny helped account for how great Danny has turned out — currently a senior at CalTech, on the honor role, and headed toward med school. Your dad is reflected in the outcome of my son’s life as well.
I also knew your dad right when he was retiring (I think right after the birth of a grandchild). His main reason for retirement was love for his kids, and love for his grandchildren, and wanting to spend more time with you all.
We will miss him terribly.
Tracy was a wonderful person.
I always liked him, my love and sympathy for your great loss
Love Helen
In 1992, upon arriving in Reno to run the Washoe Senior Health Center I was introduced to Tracy by a mutual friend. As an academic Geriatricin I was venturing into the role of Medical Director of the senior health center. Over the years we collaborated on multiple projects and with others developed the Division of Geriatric Medicine within the Universtiy of Nevada School of Medicine. We participated together on innumerable grant writing sessions over the years. Tracy was one of those individuals that provided guidance on how to balance the private practice of geriatrics with an academic flavor.
On the afternoon of September 1, 2011 we both attended a board meeting for the Center for Healthy Aging of Nevada along with several other colleagues committed to improving health care delivery to older Nevadans. We strategized on the development and implementation of a transitional care delivery model and grant submission. Little did anyone know what was going to occur only 3 days later.
To Chris and all of the Family please accept our prayers and wishes now and into the future. God Bless—Steve and Joann Phillips and Family
My father-in-law was the best one any could ever hope or ask for. He was always positive and happy and looked forward to every day with gusto. I have so many fond memories of being with him and Chris and have commented to Ian hundreds of time of what a lucky man he is to have such amazing parents. I am so blessed to have had Tracy in my life, and to have the entire Veach clan as part of my life.
One winter ski day two years ago I fell while skiing with Tracy and Ian on the Slide side at Mt. Rose. Tracy stopped my descent into total harm and certain injury and I nearly took him down with me. He saved me. I will forever remeber that and promise to him now to get better at skiing and to try to have no fear.
Tracy was so excited about being able to celebrate his 70th in Paris next year. Ian, Will, Chris and I are still going and we will celebrate for him. Tracy and Chris raised the most wonderful man I know, and for that I’ll be forever grateful.
I love you, Tracy, with all my heart and soul and will miss you terribly all the remaining days of my life. Thanks for the much needed lesson of what good scotch is. Here’s to you.
Lesley Veach
I remember Ian and I playing guitar with Tracy on his Takamine. I noticed then his style was very relaxed, almost subdued, simple, but expressive and deep. I learned over the coming years that your playing reflects your personality.
I remember going on the boat with the family, and seeing the command presence Tracy had, and how he liked to push things a little–doing hat drills in front of tankers or being heeled over. I remember my first glass of port that night, as every day’s sail should end.
I remember sitting in massage class with Tracy, and him showing me the standard notation used in medicine for recording diagnosis and treatment. It struck me then, as he told me of recent research in yoga and tai-chi for the elderly, how open-minded and continually growing a person he was. Even after 30 years at the peak of an academic career of studying, he still found new avenues to pursue and did so with vigor.
I remember the conversations, such as him encouraging my academic pursuits. Even though he was a well-spoken man with an infectious smile, Tracy never mis-used conversation. He always had something meaningful to say and you wanted to take it to heart because of who he was. Yet at the end, you were left with a sense of his humble, un-assuming nature.
I remember the family and the sense of home, or what I wanted home to be, that being with them always gave me. You might think that a person with Tracy’s accomplishments must have sacrificed time with the family to achieve them. But what they do, they do together–Tracy out in front but never far away.
And that must be the lasting comfort for the family. Tracy may have gone first, but he could never go far from each of you. He is inside you, and inside each of us that knew him, even just a little.
With Very Much Love,
Jason
Veach family, I am truly sorry for your loss. Tracy was an exceedingly kind man who was very proud of his children. I am grateful to have known him for a time.
My sincere sympathies,
Anne-Marie
Chris, Ian, and Alisa you have my deepest condolences for your loss. Befriending Ian in elementary school, I have many fond memories of time spent with your family.
Tracy built the coolest 2-story fort any kid could ask for, in your back yard on Riata circle. In fact your whole backyard was like a private Exploratorium. Incidentally, my first visit to the Exploratorium in S.F. was courtesy of the Veach family.
On a trip to Big Sur, we managed to avoid getting bitten in a not-so-dramatic encounter with a baby rattlesnake, however I did get a poison oak rash. This should come as no surprise given the fact that I don’t think one square foot of that spectacular mountain property went unexplored.
A year or two later Tracy took us to Lehman caves for some pretty intense spelunking. On one of the cave explorations we had to crawl on our stomachs, what seemed like a quarter mile, but was probably more like 50 yards. The passageway was generously about 2’x3′ and had a muddy floor. About halfway in, I looked down at the floor with my headlamp to see dozens of little creatures reaching up at me with their pincers. Believing they were scorpions, and confined by solid rock, I had a brief moment of panic, until Tracy pointed out to me that there was no stinger to go with the pincers and that they were in fact harmless pseudoscorpions.
My first exposure to Legos was when I met Ian, and though I’m not sure about this, I would guess that Ian’s first Legos were Tracy’s idea. I can honestly say that Legos get some credit for nearly every bit of problem-solving or creative skill I have.
The Veach family had the first home computer I had ever seen. I think it was a Compaq and it may have had a 20MB hard drive? With my parents both working for the University at the time, the Seibert family soon-after became the second family I knew, to own a home computer. It was a Corona and although it was similar in design to the Compaq, it would not run Flight Simulator 1, so I had to go to Ian’s house for a computer flying fix. That Compaq clearly weighed heavily in Ian’s choice of profession.
These are but a few of my experiences with the Veach family. If there is a common thread that runs through all of them, it is that Tracy, the consummate educator, managed to turn every fun adventure into a learning experience, without any of the “students” realizing it was a learning experience. That was truly a gift to us all.
With a heavy heart for you all,
Robert
Tracy was part of my life from the time he married Chris. Their wedding lives on in family lore, as one of my brothers decided to go into the swimming pool fully dressed and was rescued by my other uncle, who was also fully dressed in a suit. I remember the wonderful smell of his pipe back in the day. More recently, most of our interactions were in Big Sur, where he was king of the chainsaw. We did get to ski with him the past two winters on Mt Rose and gave my husband and brothers a real work-out.
We’ll miss you Tracy, and think of you everytime we pull out a chainsaw, or ski Mt. Rose.
I will remember Tracy’s kindness and positive spirit. I think the photos on this website capture both very well. My thoughts go out to his family.
warmly,
David Antonuccio
Tracy truly was a special man w/ a brilliant mind, humorous wit, and much compassion for his family,friends, colleagues and patients! It was such a treat and delightful learning experience for both of us to do co-therapy w/ three generation family systems and have the medical students viewing behind the two-way mirror in my office on Ridge St. Besides the academic part of T’s life, Clare (my husband) and I thoroughly enjoyed our personal relationship & gatherings w/ Chris, Ian, Lisa and the rest of the gang. I’ll always remember one time when he and Chris came for dinner on the mountain and Clare or Tracy tipped one of the candles over because we were laughing so hard at a joke that was told and the hanging planter next to Clare caught fire and he/Clare was totally unaware of what was happening! The three of us laughed that much harder while I was throwing a glass of water on the burning hemp rope holding the hanging planter in place! Clare thought I was “nuts” for tossing water across his dinner plate until Tracy called his attention to what was on fire next to him and out of his peripheral vision! Our food was well digested that evening! ;-))))))) Clare loved climbing mtns. w/ Tracy (Mt. Shasta in particular and Tracy and my son Chris were always planning to disperse Clare’s final ashes there) and I enjoyed doing a Pyramid Lake Triathlon when Tracy and Joe Livak also did it in 1991, I believe! We came back to their house in Virginia Foothills and had a B-B-Q afterwards. So many fond and treasured memories we have of enjoying Tracy and Chris’ company, support and love over 25+ years we have known and loved them! What a treat to have sailed in the Bay Area on their boat and on ours in Lake Tahoe!
Although I knew Tracy a short time, I will miss him. I admired Tracy’s intelligence and knowledge, and I enjoyed very much his great answers to my questions. A born teacher and wonderful person.
My deepest condolences for your loss.
I met Tracy while he was attending my instructional technology workshops at the University of Nevada, Reno. Always positive, always eager to learn, always open to new things – it was a pleasure to walk into the classroom and see his smiling face.
He will be greatly missed.
As a student at University of Phoenix I was privileged to be taught by “Dr. V.” He not only educated, but shared his vast knowledge and pursuit of excellence with us. He shared an anecdote for most every situation and issue and was honest and “real” about life and education. Dr. V. often spoke fondly of his family and I saw him as a shining of example of living life to the fullest while keeping and open mind and caring heart.
Thank you for posting this information and giving us the opportunity to share. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Sally
I had the pleasure of spending a week diving in Roatan with Tracy, Chris and Ian in 2004. That was an awesome week of diving, and Tracy’s presence made it that much more memorable. In that short time I grew to respect him, love his stories, rely on his experience, and admire his love for his family. He is surely missed.
I am sorry that I only got to know Dr. Veach for a short period of time. Our conversations were long and intense. He had a great deal to offer and to teach.
My work was and still is with those who find themselves homeless, those who suffer with mental illness and those who struggle with alcohol and substance abuse addictions. I really wanted a happy ending to the “Million Dollar Murray” story written about homelessness and about our community. Murray passed away a few years ago, but he left us a task in our community. We wanted to learn how to get help to the addicted individuals living on our streets. We also wanted to make our community a better place. And, we knew that we could save vast amounts of money with the right programs.
Dr. Veach had contributed to the work in other communities, but like me, had trouble gaining traction in his own community. Dr. Veach instructed us in his vision of a “medical home” for those struggling on our streets. With his help and guidance, we finally have brought that vision into reality. To date, we have brought nearly 100 souls to a version of Dr. Veach’s medical home here in Reno. They are staying sober. They have homes. They have purpose. Some have jobs. Most of all, they have hope. The program hasn’t operated even a year yet and is described as being profoundly successful. It has been put together by a community collaboration of agencies and individuals.
Dr. Veach was a great teacher, a great healer and also a great explorer and traveler. He had such energy and passion. It was a pleasure and a true honor to have had the privilege to know him at all.
In celebrating his life, we also must come to terms with the loss he represents. I am sorry for the loss to his family, his friends and colleagues, to the community and to this life we share. He was a great soul.
Respectfully,
Paddy O
I had Dr. Veach for either his first or second class when he came to the University of Phoenix, It was research and statistics, he took a boring subject and made it fun and easy to learn for me. He was so full of life and when he would talk about something he did (doing) or something that he and his family did (doing) his eyes would just light up and he got this excited demeanor about him that was infectious. When he would talk about the things he experienced in his life it made me realize that we truly do have to live life the way we want and experiment with things we normally wouldn’t try (for me that would be traveling overseas) to get the fullest life we can and that life is to short not to go after what you want. I for one will truly miss him seeing him in class and having him as a teacher. My deepest condolences to out to his family I will keep you in my thoughts during this trying time.
Gayla
Tracy’s enthusiasm for learning and education will be missed so much. He was always so supportive and so easy to work with. My heart goes out to his family, and will miss his presence.
Dr. Veach was my professor at The University of Phoenix. He taught me the 2 most difficult subjects of my program. I am so grateful Dr. Veach was the one for that job … He loved what he did. He showed so much passion for life. He adored his family … as he often shared cute little stories here and there throughout. He did make a difference in my life. I truly looked up him as he seemed to have experienced everything. I am so in shock. My heart goes out to his family. Love and prayers. I will also remember him in his many stylish hats.
Love,
Kerri
In 1969 I first met TRACY in the doctoral program at UNR. We collaborated on and then published several pieces of research. In 1988, when i was mired in a lethal depression, Tracy arranged my admission to washoe county medical, which sparked a complete recovery. Stacy and I extend our deepest sympathies to Chris, Ian and Alisa.
I was a current student of Tracy’s at University of Phoenix at the time of his death. I remember telling him the night he substitued in one of my classes that he reminded me of my step-father. His mannerisms and facial expresssions were so like my step-dad’s that at times I forgot to pay attention to the lesson and just watch him. The night of class after my step-dad passed away, I felt like he was actually in class with me just by watching Tracy.
He made our course interesting and urged us to think outside of the box by asking a question, processing our thoughts, then coming right back with his question of what if…?
We then had to rethink our original thoughts and allow ourselves to consider other possibilites. I learned that there is no black and white, just a lot of gray.
Thank you Tracy for opening my eyes even wider and to your family for sharing and sacrificing their time with you to allow you to be with us inspiring us to think and go above and beyond the “norm.”
Peace be with the Veach family,
Donna
I was a student of Dr. Veach and he made the hardest, most boring classes so much fun. He always had amazing stories to share for everything. We would always go off topic because everything would remind him of something amazing he had done in his life. He wa such an amazing and accomplished man. My heart and prayers goes out to his family. You all were incredibly blessed to have him in your lives. I am greatful for everything he taught me and for being able to be a part of his prefessional life. Thank you. Sarah June.
I was in a meeting recently with your father with the Sierra Research Group. We were having a lively discussion which was thought provoking, and he said, ‘My creative juices are starting to run.’ as he began to provide many ideas. His eyes were sparkling and there was excitement on his face. It’s nice memory to have of him. He helped people and scholars alike!
I am currently a student at the University of Phoenix which is where I was fortunate enough to be one of Tracy’s students. The first time I met Tracy was actually before I was his student because he was generous enough to substitute one night for our class. I remember that a lot of our class was having a hard time understanding the material of the course because some of us had a hard time understanding the teacher. It wasn’t until Tracy substituted the class that night, that everyone had a clear understanding of what we were supposed to be learning.
This was Tracy’s gift. He was the kind of teacher that reached EVERYONE, not just a couple. He was clear, direct and articulate in every one of his lectures. He didn’t just stand in front of the class spouting out memorized texts from some lesson book. Tracy had a way of capturing his student’s attentions by relating any lesson he was teaching into everyday situations thus, causing his students to really see, think and understand the very point that he was making.
For example, while I was a student in Tracy’s Ethics class he had a personal family situation arise when he learned that his daughter had been in an accident while riding a horse. Tracy tried to appear calm and composed but it was obvious that he had a strong concern for the well being of his daughter and grandchildren. Also, because of the kind of man he was, he felt an obligation to his students and he decided not to let his class down, despite his worry as a father, and showed up to class.
That night, Tracy’s spoke of his own real life, personal dilemma of family versus responsibilities, versus work policy and lastly, versus ones personal ethics which caused everyone in the class to really think about “Ethics” in general. In my opinion, that was one of the most BRILLIANT approaches of teaching I have ever encountered and I know that discussing the issue was helpful for him as well.
I for one am thankful to have been fortunate enough to have a teacher who was like no other I have known. I only knew Tracy for 5 weeks, but his teachings and memory will stay with me for the rest of my days. I cant express into words the deep sympathy I feel for his family and friends but I will say that as long as we remember Tracy he will never really be gone. Rather, he will live forever in our hearts and in our memories.
I am truly sorry for your loss, and ours.
Tracy was my best friend. The best friend I ever had! He was the first guy I met when I came to Nevada on July 1st, 1970. I walked into the “bull pen” where the social psych graduate students had their cubicles, and there he was with his “flat top” hair cut while other students were sporting beads and long hair. I thought “this guy should be interesting.”
Tracy and Chris, and Joe and Sue (my wife) were the odd couples in the program because we were dedicated to our marriages and our families as well as to our studies. Tracy got me my first job with the State of Nevada which I parlayed into 26 years of service in Carson City. Over the years, as Tracy’s career took many twists and turns, we were able to find time to share many different recreational pursuits: sailing, scuba diving, skiing, cycling, triathlons, ultra running, canyoneering, hiking, white-water rafting. We shared books and had many intellectual discussions. And we got drunk together during a workshop at the FBI Academy in Quantico Virginia too. His appetite for life was enormous. I came to realize that all this stuff wasn’t about being macho, or even about ego, it was about curiosity! Tracy was a seeker, he wanted to explore the edges, the nooks, and crannies of being human. A common theme for him was the mind-body connection. He studied Buddhism and acquired a black belt in karate, did “The World’s Toughest Triathlon” at Lake Tahoe, and the Western States 100- mile endurance run, all with the goal of satisfying that insatiable curiosity about the mind-body relationship.
Much has been said of him as a teacher. I think he was so good because he knew so much about life and how it related to formal academic subject matter. I remember a night around a campfire on the lower Zambezi River in Zimbabwe when Tracy went into “professor mode” with our white-water rafting group. I thought “oh, no, here he goes”, but he proceeded to mesmerize the group with fascinating stories backed up with scholarship. We were up very late that night.
Tracy could be irascible, cantankerous, opinionated and stubborn, very stubborn. I must admit that I occasionally took pleasure in evoking these qualities of his personality, and they too will be missed. I think these qualities had a lot to do with how effective he was in making a difference, having an impact on individuals and on society.
We sometimes talked about death and dying, and Tracy made it very clear that he wanted it to be sudden, while doing something he enjoyed. I am happy for him but resent his going so early. I mourn for his family and for all of us who knew and loved him.
My wife and I were in Europe when Tracy died and I didn’t find out about his death until this morning when I called Chris to let her know we were back. After absorbing the news, what struck me was how much he was in my thoughts during our trip. You see, I was reading a book (“Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall) during our trip and I was excited about sharing it with Tracy and looking forward to the discussions that we would have about it. I also thought about him as I was hiking near the Matterhorn in Switzerland, as I knew he had been there and I was eager to share my experience with him. He was with me there in Europe, as he will always be with me as long as I live.
Dr. Veach was one of my professors at University of Phoenix. He always had a story and was a wonderful educator. His fashion sense was always topic of conversation!! I feel like he was preparing us for a great future.
My association with Tracy goes back a long way. The Medical School –the VA –biofeedback –strange little computers that so intrigued us. Tracy was a wonderful man with significant gravity. Our paths continued to cross from time to time over the years and I will miss the opportunity for that to happen again. The memories persist though. My best to you, Chris.
I want to express my condolences and heartfelt sympathy for the loss of such a wonderful man. I only had the pleasure of knowing your father for a short time on the CCC board, but found him to be knowledgeable on so many subjects, eager and willing to assist in any way, and even with his busy schedule, served on committees as well as honoring his commitment to the board. It was a great pleasure working with him and soaking up some of his knowledge and life experience. He will truly be missed. If there is anything that we can do for your family, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Vicki A. Chicago-Marsh, President
Crisis Call Center Board of Directors
Sparks Police Department Identification Unit
Ian: Dave and I are so sorry to hear about Tracy. Our thoughts are with
you, your mother and your sister. Tracy was such a great man. He was
interested in so many things and contributed so much to the university
and, I’m sure, to your family. It must be terribly hard to lose him
so suddenly. It was easy to tell how proud he was of you. I hope that
knowledge is of some help to you. I know there is nothing anyone can
say that really helps, but we wanted you to know we are thinking of
you all.
Fondly, Becky
He was a great friend, associate, and mentor.
His work with me in aging at Sanford and his board membership on my Center for Healthy Aging was both professionally and personally rewarding.
I will miss him terribly.
Ian: Your Dad hired me to work for him in the Medical Education Office at UNSOM in the early 1980’s. How I loved Reno, and how much your father changed my life by hiring me. He was indeed a visionary. Smart and full of ideas and change. Multi-faceted to say the least.
I am deeply sorry to hear of his death. Tracy was a man of life in every way. Blessed by you, Chris, with companionship and cuisine and shared love of traveling. The world has lost of one its finest men.
I understand that he died while hiking. If he had a choice about how to pass from this world onto the next, I would guess that he got his wish. On a beautiful mountain trail overlooking Lake Tahoe. In fact, the last time I saw Tracy and you Chris, was on our hike near Mt Rose.
Some life spirits touch us, and remain as critical life forces. Tracy was just such a man. I always felt inspired and honored to have spent time with him. His ideas and interest in research, medical education and clinical practice were measured by his accomplishments, of which there were many.
I send my love, my thoughts, my tears, my hope for each of the three of you. You are the most important parts of his life, then and now.
From an old friend to you Chris and to Ian and Lisa, I am thinking of each of you and wishing you much love and kindness at this time.
I will forever remember Tracy, and miss him tremendously.
Dear Ian, I am so sorry for your loss as a family and individually. I am a CCC board member and recruited your father to work on the marketing work with me. I so very much appreciated his energy, intelligence and humor.
He was a remarkable person and we felt extremely pleased and grateful to have his participation on the board.
His passing was a deep shock to everyone who knew him at the CCC.
He really was a great guy and has left a large empty, virtually unfillable place that I’m sure you know only too well.
I have known Tracy as a colleague at UNR for many years, and most recently as the PI and co-researcher on a current DoD research grant on PTSD and TBI that Tracy was leading at my Eye-Com Office at Renown Med Ctr. Tracy was so energetic, very thoughtful, and such a pleasant person to work with, who had lots of great ideas, humor and passion for life. My team and I miss him enormously and share your grief. My best wishes to you and your family.
Ian: Your dad and I were close colleagues and friends for over 30 years. We had many similar interests, values and things we enjoyed. We spend hours and hours sharing our thoughts about how to improve disease prevention and health care, how to improve medical education and simply how to treat others in a more humane manner. He was such a great colleague! We both found the intellectual stimulation of our positions exciting and Tracy was a role model for us all. For someone so cognitively gifted he was a man with a wonderful heart and his emotions were one of the traits I loved. We had many great time laughing and joking about all aspects of life, I will remember him forever. It is much love and sadness that I say goodbye. Un voyage a Paris pour lui serant un merveilleux !
A dear friend: Jerry
I will be forever grateful to Tracy for hiring me – twice. The first was in 1991 when I worked part time for Richard Rahe at the VA and part time for Tracy in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. My first job with Tracy was to try to organize John Chappel’s overheads for those machines we don’t use anymore. Otherwise, I helped out where needed in Tracy’s office. The second time in 2001, I was hired into the Office of Medical Education where he was then Associate Dean for Medical Education. I am still there today.
In between, Richard Rahe, Tracy, Lynn Newhall, and I ran 16 Stress Management Workshops together. One of Tracy’s duties was to be master of ceremonies for silly awards that we handed out to our participants to remind them of their time with us. None of us could turn a phrase quite like Tracy and he kept everyone in stitches. So, when I remember Tracy, I remember laughter.
Peace,
Robbyn
I worked for Tracy when I was a graduate student at UNR. He was not only my supervisor, but also my colleague, confidant, advisor, supporter, and most importantly, my friend. The thing I remember most about Tracy was his zest for life. He was involved in such a wide range of activites, both personal and professional, that at the time it was almost incomprehensible to me. He was a role model for me in understanding the distinction between going through life and living life to the fullest.
My sincere condolences to Ian, Chris and the entire family. We will all miss him!
I am deeply sorry to hear about the passing of your Father. I was also a former student of Dr. Veach at the University of Phoenix, and he really did have a knack for making boring subjects interesting. Dr. Veach was an insightful, articulate, and sometimes humorous guy that managed to make learning fun, especially learning about boring subjects like statistics, Blah! I mean really is that not what good teachers do? and He was a good one who will be missed.
“I am an old student of Dr. Tracy Veach from when he taught at University of Phoenix BSHS. I am deeply saddened that he is no longer with those who are left here.
I wanted to send my condolences and had seen that he had a facebook months ago. I wish i had added him when I had the chance. I hope you and the rest of his family know how much he was appreciated by not just me but all of my peers.
Dr. Veach only taught a couple of my classes but I learned so much from him. I learned mostly from his long-winded stories of experiences but he was certainly a pleasure with that great smile and light heartedness attitude!! I could tell he was a great man and I think about him often. I hope his family is hanging in there and i am praying that you are all comforted during these times.”
A few things that will stick out in my head about Dr. Veach:
-The first time I met him, i was introduced by Dr. John Yacenda before our first class with Dr. Vech began. Dr. Yacenda warned Dr. Veach that I was trouble. Dr. Veach had such a great attitude about it and I felt comforted when I saw his warm smile and light hearted personality. The instructor before Dr. Veach had been the opposite of Dr. Veach, so his inviting personality was
a welcoming presence.
-On one paper I submitted, I spelt Dr. Veach’s name wrong and he responded with a joke that I don’t remember his exact words but I do remember that I blushed with embarassment and laughter because Dr. Veach was such a good sport about it. Dr. Veach said it in a way that he saw a good opprotunity for a good joke, and not because he was offended.
-I remember the long winded stories that Dr. Veach loved to tell. he warned us to interrupt him if we were tired of hearing him talk or if he was pushing time. And we certainly behind in our topics because he liked to talk so much. BUT…during his stories, I learned what a great man Dr. Veach was. I learned more about having heart in the human service field. Dr. Veach explained that there were medical student’s of his who passed everything with flying colors but because they had no heart, he denied their enterance into the field. I respected that then and always.
-I remember the video he brought to class from when he was a young man working on a project with other professional peers. We all laughed at his retro-film, but he was such a good sport.
Dr. Veach left quite an impression on me. The smile and light behind his eyes are unforgettable. I pray that you are all in peace with his life and passing as he is making somebody else smile right now. Know that we are all blessed to have had him in our lives no matter the length of time.
Sincerely,
Sara Lemos
Uncle Tracy’s zest and enthusiasm for life was evident in all that he did. His optimism overcame obstacles and shone a light for all of us to follow. When I think of Tracy I think of an exceptional father, husband, teacher, athlete, communicator and philosopher. We are so fortunate to have had him as part of our family. I know he will be missed at family gatherings, but it is through his example that we will continue to cherish those around us, rise to the occasion and live life to the fullest. Thank you Uncle Tracy for providing such a wonderful roll model for the rest of us.
Approximately two years ago, I remember receiving the longest most impressive vitae ever submitted to me. I gave up trying to digest it all in one sitting. Who was this person with all of this education, a multitude of skills and experience that was willing to serve on the Board of Directors of the Crisis Call Center? Impressed? Yes! We were anxious to meet this Renaissance Man who appeared to be interested in joining our organization and therefore interested in our cause and curious about what we were bringing to his community.
At that first Board Meeting, we met a ruggedly handsome obviously intelligent man who was not hesitant to jump right in and advise, to correct or direct the issues that were on the table for discussion. Impressed? Yes! We continued to be impressed, we welcomed his involvement and encouraged him to join our committees and participate in our events which he did with a great deal of enthusiasm and good humor. He was willing to give of himself; he always had great ideas for how we could improve our fundraising events, and how we could market ourselves for improved public awareness, most of all he was willing to work for us and with us no matter how minor the issue or event.
The staff and Board of Directors join me in extending our sympathy to the family of our friend and mentor Dr. Tracy Veach. We too will sorely miss him, both from a personal and from a professional standpoint. He made many good friends here, and we all send you our heartfelt sympathy.
Sincerely,
The Staff and Board of Directors
Crisis Call Center
Tracy was a dear friend of mine. We worked together at the university and more recently on our PTSD research project at Eyecom. I have already missed him greatly. It was a shock to hear that he passed on that Sunday. He was the inspiration and motivating factor in getting our project going and we miss him greatly. God grant you the rewards that you dearly deserve.
Your Pal, Henry
I met Tracy when he attended my class on Oriental Massage. His son Ian was a jujutsu student of mine and he shared some of the concepts of Jujutsu with Tracy. Some of the things that I became aware of with Tracy was his ability to find value in everything he did.He had a gift that few share when he could laugh at himself wholeheartedly and share his sense of humor with everyone around him to bring everyone into a comfortable, relaxed state of mind. Few people can make anyone and everyone feel comfortable and welcome like he could. He had a quiet intelligence about him and a wisdom behind his grin. Tracy was full of adventure in every aspect of his life. May we all use his example and live our live for the adventure they truely are. Thank you Tracy.
Tracy and I quickly became united as lasting friends and fellow researchers from almost the first day I arrived on the faculty of Psychiatry and the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno back in 1982. Over my 15 years on the faculty, and for several years following my retirement, we collaborated on even further investigations designed to help persons improve their coping skills during periods of major life stresses.
Tracy’s entusiasm for an extremely wide area of activities is attested to by the many contributions already on this web site. Besides swimming with me at noon-hour, he also ran marathons and hiked up and down the Sierras. Professionally he was just as diverse, with teaching, medical administration, personal counseling, and statistical analyses (only his son Ian was more remarkable in this area). At home he was a supportive husband and father, a gourmet cook, and a many- talented home repairman. He went through life like a flaming rocket, admired by all of us average persons for his astounding energy and ever-present good humor.
I want to share just one of Tracy’s many humorous statements that he made as we were reviewing comments of participants having just completed one of the 16 week-end workshops I conducted for Department of Justice personnel. In the midst of our usual glowing evaluations I found a very negative one. I showed it to Tracy asking about possible changes in our approach. His nearly immediate response: ” Don’t worry! If you don’t piss off a participant once in a while it means you haven’t been trying enough innovations.”
Tracy — YES, you were a blessing to many. You were real, true to life, a man to be honored and respected. I was always proud of your transition to the University of Phoenix. We had some great times just hanging out; just thinking; just wondering what we’d say next. You were the real deal! Your family knew it, and so did so many of us. From working with you when you were at the UNR Med School to UoP…yes, you were the REAL DEAL!
Tracy offered me the position in the Medical Education Office at UNSOM. He was a great boss and dear friend. I learned a great deal while working with him and he inspired such confidence in all he came in contact with. Tracy was ever challenging, there were not limits to what he would do to ensure the success of each endeavor. One incident was when he and I were at work on a Saturday wrapping up the writing, copying and sending in a grant (to make the deadline).
I remember many times when he included me in his research activities, teaching me about statistics and including me with his grad students in training sessions, such as SPSS. He helped me to achieve my best.
Tracy had a huge heart and was so kind. He thought the world of his familly and you were all his priority first and foremost. He will always be the “best boss and friend” that I ever had.
Although, I hadn’t stayed in touch as frequently as I would have liked. When I did not hear from him over the year and he did not respond to my email (so unlike him), I knew something had happened.
I will always remember him with great fondness and will miss him terribly.
Patti Campbell
The summer before I started medical school , early 80s, Tracy hired me as a research assistant at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. He was a brilliant, creative thinker. I remember him for being kind, but strong. He was a good leader. My respect and thanks for what he gave me.
I’m Tracy’s cousin. I have been searching for family members for so long and then I find this. Sigh, Sorry for you loss. If anyone knows where Roxy is please inform her that Kim is looking for her.