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Stanley W. 'Stan' Krueger Fatetteville, AR QCWA # 14969 Chapter 90 |
Stanley William Krueger, 89, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, died Oct. 11, 2010 at his home in Butterfield Trail Village.
Stan was born on Jan. 17, 1921, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Charles Basil Krueger and Irene Lohmeier Krueger and was the eldest of two children.
He nurtured an early childhood interest in electronics that led to a lifelong hobby as an amateur (ham) radio operator, six years of distinguished service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and a 30-year career as an electrical engineer, research engineer and plant manager with the Baldwin Piano & Organ Company.
His family included five children, four stepchildren, and a total of 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He served as a mentor and friend to many people throughout his life.
Interested in electronics from an early age, Stan learned Morse code and, by the time he was 15, had earned his amateur radio license. He enlisted in the Navy Reserve at age 17 after learning that the Navy was short of trained radiomen proficient in Morse code. After graduating from high school, he entered active service and, in January 1940, began training at the San Diego Naval Training Center. He subsequently shipped out to Pearl Harbor and trained aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6). While at Pearl Harbor, he received a "speed key" certificate for his high proficiency in both sending and receiving Morse code.
After the U.S. entered World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Stan was assigned as a radioman aboard the transport ships that carried troops, supplies and munitions in support of campaigns throughout the South Pacific. He spent the majority of his time aboard the troop / attack transport USS Crescent City (AP-40/APA-21) and, during his latter service, aboard the USS President Jackson (APA-18). He participated in numerous Pacific Theater naval campaigns from 1942 to 1945, from the Guadalcanal Campaign of August 7-9, 1942 (which landed the first U.S. Marines on the island) to Iwo Jima. The Crescent City received 10 battle stars for her World War II service. Stan achieved the rank and title of Chief Petty Officer/Chief Radioman, and he earned the Bronze Star for his naval service.
After leaving the service in September 1945, Stan returned to Cincinnati. He attended the University of Cincinnati on the GI Bill and earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He married Hazel Delores Maxstadt of Cincinnati on August 12, 1946, and their family would eventually grow to three sons and two daughters before her death. He joined the Baldwin Piano & Organ Company at its Cincinnati headquarters, where he worked for 10 years, first as a research engineer and then as head of manufacturing. In 1962, he was named the plant manager of the new electronic organ / musical instrument manufacturing plant in Fayetteville, Ark. He also oversaw operations at other Baldwin plants in DeQueen and Booneville, Ark. and in Greenwood, Miss. He retired from Baldwin in 1982.
Stan met and subsequently married Eleanor Williams of Fayetteville on April 5, 1986, who, together with her family, brought great joy into his life during their 25-year marriage. He took an active interest in the Williams Dance and Gymnastics Center that Eleanor founded and ran in Fayetteville for over 13 years before retiring in 1985 and in the activities of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Stan was active in the Northwest Arkansas Amateur Radio Club and the University of Arkansas Amateur Radio Club, where he mentored many of the students. He donated equipment and personal memorabilia for the club's safekeeping, including his extensive collection of QSL post cards . the "calling cards" of ham radio operators with whom he had made contact throughout the world. He made many friends among his fellow "hams" and with professors in the University of Arkansas College of Engineering. Stan also valued education. After his retirement, he took classes at the University of Arkansas well into his 70s. He was proud that all five of his children earned university degrees . four graduating from the University of Arkansas. In the 1980's, Stan also helped organize a support group in Northwest Arkansas for families coping with Alzheimer's.
Survivors include his wife, Eleanor Krueger of the home; children David Krueger and wife Mary Ellen of Dallas, Texas; Dennis Krueger of Galveston, Texas; Stephen Krueger and wife Hiromi, also of Dallas; Char Lupke of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Christine Krueger and husband Michael Walden of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Stepchildren include Joy Prater and husband John of Harrison, Ark.; Lynda Matthews of Springdale, Ark.; Donna Meinecke and husband Jim of Fayetteville, Ark.; Gina Hughes and husband Clayton of Tulsa, Okla.; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Hazel, of Fayetteville, Ark., and by his sister, Lucille Tucker of Trotwood, Ohio
Memorial service was held at 10:00 am, Saturday, October 16 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Fayetteville with The Rev. Suzanne Stoner officiating. Interment was in Son's Chapel Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Murray Harris, Mr. Dan Puckett, Mr. Jim Herrin and Mr. Bob Patrick