Frederick Karl Kraus

KRAUS, Fred "Fritz" 85 formerly of Cleveland, OH, and Sarasota, FL, died Monday, November 10, 2008, in Centerville, Ohio, at his home in the Health Center at St. Leonard Senior Living Community after a long illness. A memorial mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 9 a.m. at the St. Leonard Senior Living Community chapel. Mr. Kraus was born Sept. 4, 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio, to John and Sophia (Conyer) Kraus. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1941, where his nickname was "The Baron." While he played football, it was at the pool table where he truly excelled. He married Dolores Ann Magda on Sept. 2, 1950 in Cleveland, OH. He served in the 101st Airborne, I Company, 502nd Regiment, as a Paratrooper, during World War II. He parachuted in behind enemy lines during the Normandy D-Day invasion. He fought at Bastogne, where the 101st Airborne's defense of that town became legendary. He also fought at Operation Market-Garden, and in the Battle of the Bulge. He was twice wounded in battle and was awarded the Purple Heart. Following his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1946, Mr. Kraus worked as a laborer, and became an apprentice at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at its Lewis Research Center in Cleveland. He was employed by NASA for 27 years, where he worked as a pipefitter and project supervisor. Some of the projects he worked on included the testing and construction of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo mission spacecraft infrastructure. After retiring from NASA in 1981, he and his wife moved to Sarasota, FL, where they lived for 10 years. They then moved to Bradenton, FL, for 17 years, in the Peridia development. They moved to the St. Leonard Senior Living Community in Centerville, OH, in February 2008. Mr. Kraus enjoyed hunting, fishing, crossword puzzles, and all manner of problem-solving. He especially enjoyed walking the beaches near his home in Florida, which he did on a daily basis. He loved being barefoot. While in Florida he enjoyed the annual Snowbird Reunions of the 101st Airborne. He was not a man of many words, but always had a wink and a smile for everyone. Mr. Kraus was often described as being rock-solid and steady as a rock. When he gave his word, it was as good as gold. He was a good man, a good soldier, and he enjoyed living a good life, good food, and good cigars (though he said that he never inhaled). Mr. Kraus was a loving husband, a devoted father and a beloved grandfather. While in Ohio, he was a member of the South Cuyahoga Sportsmen Association in Medina. Mr. Kraus is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dolores, of St. Leonard Senior Living Community in Centerville, OH; son and daughter-in-law, Paula and Fred Kraus Jr. of Dayton, OH; his grandson, Maxwell Frederick Kraus, of Dayton, OH; nieces and nephews, including Jeanne, Joanne, John and Ken; and many friends. Some of his friends included Fitzwater, Scooter, Luke, Stelma, Perry, Collins, Andy, Schroeder and Bob, He was preceded in death by his sisters, Sara, Sophia and Marie; and by his brothers, Peter and John (who was killed in action in World War II). Mr. Kraus was cremated. A memorial gathering and reunion for all family and friends will be Saturday, Dec. 20, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at MarCal's Restaurant in Parma Heights. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Leonard Senior Living Community in Centerville. Condolences and other remembrances may be visited at www.routsong.com.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429