Robert L. Krueger

Childhood:

Robert Lee Krueger (known as Bob to his family and friends) was born on March 11, 1920 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Otto R. and Thelma T. Krueger. Robert’s father, Otto, was an electrician and owned and operated his own electrical company in the city. Robert had two younger brothers: William (now deceased) and James. He grew up and went to school in Oklahoma City and graduated from Classen High School in 1938. He was a member of the marching band in high school, played the bass horn (tuba) and won many awards. He joined the National Guard reserves while in high school. He experienced the Great Depression during his early years.

After High School and Early Military Career:

After high school, Robert went to school at Oklahoma City University for two years, studying for the ministry. He eventually changed his major to chemical engineering. While at OCU he played in the marching band and again won many awards. He was called into active service in September 1940 for a short period and was stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. While at Ft. Sill, he was a member of the 120th Medical Unit marching band.

He was discharged from active duty shortly after that and began attending Oklahoma University at Norman and majored in chemical engineering. But, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he was called into active duty again. After spending a short time at Will Rogers Field in Oklahoma City he was sent to Edgewood Arsenal near Baltimore, Maryland to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS). After being commissioned a second lieutenant, he was transferred to Merced, California for a short time and then transferred to Reno Army Air Base in Nevada. While at Reno he entered the Army Air Corp and was promoted to the rank of Captain.

While stationed at Reno he met Louise A. Smidt and married her on May 1, 1943. They were subsequently stationed at Fresno and Santa Maria Army Air Base in California, Pendleton Army Air Base in Oregon, Thermal (near Palm Springs), California and Santa Bernardino Army Air Base in California.

World War II:

Robert was sent overseas in 1944, departing from Port Washington, Seattle, Washington. He arrived in Hawaii and began special jungle warfare training on Oahu preparing for an invasion. He was stationed at Bellow’s Filed and joined the 386th Air Service Group (ASG). He was also chosen to be a Chief Quartermaster (a special honor) and was trained at Hickam Air Base to load and unload cargo ships with supplies, assault vehicles and munitions.

He departed Hawaii in early 1945 on an AKA 92 (assault cargo ship). After stopping in Enewetak and Saipan, he participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima beginning February 19th, 1945. His unit, the 386th ASG, was responsible for maintaining and arming the P-51 Mustangs who played a major role in the battle. He had a number of near death experiences during the battle and lived in a fox hole by runway number one.

After World War II:

After the end of World War II and his discharge, Robert and Louise lived in Torrance, California. They moved back to Oklahoma City in 1948 and Robert worked at his father’s electric store. He continued to serve in the reserves at Tinker Air Force Base. He was called back to active duty in 1951 with the outbreak of the Korean War.

Military Career:

After a short assignment at Kelly Air Force Base, San Antonio Texas, he and his family were stationed in Casablanca, Morocco for 3 years. Subsequently, they were stationed in Tucson, Arizona for six years, Salina, Kansas for a year, Sault St. Marie, Michigan, for three years, Shreveport (Bossier City), Louisiana for three years, Okinawa (Kadena Air Force Base) for six months, including a tour in Karat, Thailand and finally Fukuoka, Japan (Itazuke Air Force Base) for three years. During this time Robert was part of the Strategic Air Command for ten years serving as a nuclear weapons officer and armament electronics chief. While in Japan he was the commander of Yamada Munitions Base, near Itazuke Air Force Base. Robert retired from active duty in June, 1968, completing a thirty-two year military career and achieving the rank of Colonel.

Post Military Career and Retirement:

After retiring from the Air Force, Robert and Louise moved to Denver, Colorado in 1968. Robert had been stationed at Lowry Air Force Base briefly in the mid 1950’s for training, and he and Louise loved the area and climate and decided this was where they wanted to live permanently.

Robert worked for a number of years for several electrical wholesale companies and retired permanently in the early 1980’s.

During this time period, Robert became active in a number of groups. He was the co-founder and charter member of the Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society and was an active member in the Denver Orchid Society along with Louise. He also enjoyed photography which was a life-long hobby. Robert and Louise loved the company of their three grandchildren and also traveling extensively and going to the movies. Robert and Louise celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 1st, 1993. Louise passed away in 1994 and in the twenty years since then, Robert was blessed by the deep relationship with his family and especially his grandchildren. He was also extremely blessed by the special friendships he developed in his local church, small groups and Bible studies.

Robert was a man of deep Christian faith and was looking forward to the day he would meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, face to face. He also looked forward to being reunited with his dear wife, Louise.

Robert is survived by his brother, James Krueger (Worcester, Massachusetts), his son, Gary (Pam) Krueger (Aurora, Colorado), three grandchildren, Rebecca Coffield (Aurora, Colorado), Christine (Travis) Treadwell (Centennial, Colorado) and Michael (Britt) Krueger (Centennial, Colorado) and one great grandchild, Blake Coffield (Aurora, Colorado).

Robert lived a full life and he blessed all of us with his presence. The family invites all of Robert’s friends to attend his memorial and celebration service on Thursday, March 6th at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that you provide a donation to the Denver Rescue Mission.