Hod Soto and John W. Haefeli have been called to the Big Leagues up above.
During the past couple weeks, Greeley lost two of its most caring and influential mentors of young athletes and young students.
Greeley and Weld County couldn’t ask for two better people than Haefeli and Soto to represent this local community and the folks that live here, as they join the team up above.
On Thursday, May 22, Soto died at 59 years of age after a year-long battle with liver cancer and liver disease.
On Saturday, Haefeli died at 67 after a nearly year-long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Both of these beloved Greeley natives were fighters, inspirers and leaders in this community right up to their final moments.
Haefeli, a longtime educator, coach and a member of many local boards and committees, threw out the first pitch Saturday during the Class 3A baseball state championship finals at Butch Butler Field, leaving hardly a dry eye in the venue.
Greeley's Hod Soto was a veteran coach, former prep and collegiate athletics and a longtime supporter of local athletics. (Courtesy/Hod Soto's Facebook page)The tournament — which Haefeli directed and ran for years — was named after him this year.
Mere hours after throwing out the first pitch, Haefeli went home alongside his cherished wife of 32 years, Delia. He laid down in bed and died.
“He lived for others and brought joy to all around him,” Greeley West science teacher, tennis coach and one of Haefeli’s many pupils, Ryan Pace, said in a Facebook post Tuesday. “He was someone I could always look up to, and so many others can say the same. … Personally, he’s been a coach, teacher, mentor, and most importantly, friend.”
Like Haefeli, Soto continued doing what he loved right up until he could no longer do so.
His last of many coaching jobs in the area was with the Northern Colorado Nightmare semipro football team.
John Haefeli throws out the first pitch during the University vs. Coal Ridge game at Butch Butler Field in Greeley on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Haefeli passed away only hours after the pitch. (Jim Rydbom/Staff Photographer)He spent 35 years working within the city of Greeley Parks department, retiring in January because of his illness.
He died with the love of his life, Tracy Eckhardt, by his side. Soto met Eckhardt in 2014.
When Eckhardt posted about Hod’s passing on Facebook, hundreds of people whose lives Soto touched shared condolences and memories.
“His heart was every bit as big as he was,” Soto’s longtime friend and fishing buddy Ronnie Chacon said. “He will be missed by many.”
Greeley's Hod Soto was a gentle giant, with his approachable, friendly demeanor. (Courtesy/Hod Soto's Facebook page)On the surface, Soto — a former football player at the University of Northern Colorado — may have been a hulking, physically intimidating presence, but even the most brief of conversations would reveal he was anything but intimidating.
Soto was as kind and approachable as could be.
Though Haefeli and Soto both enjoyed a variety of activities, near the top of their lists was fishing.
Being a fisherman requires uncompromising patience.
Patience was something Soto and Haefeli had an infinite supply of.
Greeley-Evans School District 6 Board Member John Haefeli speaks during the Greeley West High School Class of 2021 Commencement Ceremony at District 6 Stadium in Greeley on May 22, 2021. (Alex McIntyre/Greeley Tribune file photo)Whether mentoring a young pupil or just taking a break from their busy schedules to chat with someone in the community, Haefeli and Soto were always generous with their time.
The lessons young students and athletes learned from Haefeli and Soto will forever remain within the hearts of the thousands of people they so profoundly impacted.
It’s safe to say that two remarkable men who spent much of their existence within a competitive atmosphere were victors in life.
They shared the thrill of winning the game of life with everyone who was lucky enough to know them.
John and Hod, it’s time to lean back, kick your feet up in the locker room up above and enjoy the wonderful legacy you’ve left behind.
— Bobby Fernandez covers high school sports for the Greeley Tribune. Reach him at 970-392-4478 or by email at bfernandez@greeleytribune.com.
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