Paul Oscar Kronbergs

Paul Oscar Kronbergs of Austin, Texas claimed the promise of his baptism on Sunday, 10 Dec 23 at the age of 85. Paul was born at home in Smiltene, Latvia to Reverend Enersts & Brigitte Treus Kronbergs on 1 Feb 1938.

In August of 1944, Paul, his grandmother, mother & two sisters fled their homeland upon the second Russian occupation of Latvia during WW II. At that time, only women & children were allowed to leave. His Father, a Lutheran minister, was later killed by the Russian occupiers. Paul and his remaining family ended up in the Insula Displaced Persons (DP) Camp near Berchtesgaden, Germany.

In 1950 the family immigrated to the US, via Ellis Island, and settled in Port Washington, NY. Paul graduated from Paul D. Schreiber High School in 1957 and received a full scholarship to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) where he was also in Air Force ROTC. Paul left (RPI) in December 1959 and joined the Air Force as an Aviation Cadet. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and assigned as a Navigator instructor at Harlingen AFB, Texas where he met and married Nancy, his wife of 62 years. While serving in the military, Paul went to night school and earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska Omaha and later a master’s degree from Troy State. After 21 years in the Air Force, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1979, Paul earned an MBA from East Texas State University and then worked in private business from 1983-1993. In late 1993, he took his final job working as a manager for the City of Austin Fleet Services Department, retiring in 2003. From 2003 until the COVID-19 pandemic, Paul & Nancy traveled to all 50 states and 37 foreign countries.

Descended from a very long line of Latvian Lutheran ministers, Paul was very devoted to God and his church, Gethsemane Lutheran, where he and Nancy were members since 1983. As an indigent immigrant refugee to the United States at 12 years old, he always considered himself extraordinarily blessed to have become an American citizen and felt compelled to serve in the Air Force. As a Vietnam veteran, Paul logged 486.3 combat hours as a C-123 navigator and was awarded the Bronze Star and Distinguished Flying Cross.

His ‘call to serve’ extended through the rest of his life. He served as the CFO for his Ridge Harbor Homeowner’s Association, the Treasurer/President of the Spicewood Lion’s Club and finally as a board member of the Longhorn Village Resident Advisory Counsel (RAC). In addition to his legendary passion for Texas Longhorn football, he also loved boating on Lake Travis and teaching his Grandchildren how to water ski.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents and older sister Charlotte Gaffney.

He is survived by his wife Nancy, younger sister Ilse Mengel of Charlotte, North Carolina; daughter Linda & her husband Bob Nardo of Austin, Texas; son Pete & his wife Christl of Dayton, Ohio; son Karl & wife Sadie of Richmond, Texas, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces & nephews.

A viewing will begin at 12:00 p.m, followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m, on Saturday, 30 Dec 23 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Austin,Texas. Graveside service 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday Jan 2, 2024 at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio. A memorial service will be held on Jan 3, 2023 at Longhorn Village in the Forty Acres Room from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gethsemane Lutheran Church or the Folds of Honor Foundation.