Henry "Hank" Krauer

KRAUER, Henry John "Hank”, passed away on September 26, 2024. Hank, age 87, was born on March 3, 1937, in Yonkers, New York, to Otto Krauer of Rothrist, Switzerland and Paula (Stimmann) Krauer of Hamburg, Germany. 

Hank graduated from Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, NY in 1955, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1959. He earned his Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Wright State University in 1980. 

Hank completed college as an Air Force ROTC graduate, and he was then commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United State Air Force. He began his military career working in operations and maintenance of long-range radar. Over time, he expanded his work into the research and development of electronic systems. These systems included training simulators, synthetic aperture radar, electronic counter measures, and secure communications. Hank served as an Electronic Engineer at the National Security Agency in Fort Meade, MD from 1966 to 1970 where he earned a Joint Service Commendation Medal. In 1971 he transferred to the Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) where he served as an Electronic Engineer with the Foreign Technology Division. His work at WPAFB included development of technologies and systems concepts for the SR-71 and U-2 aircraft. He retired from the Air Force with the rank of Major in 1980, having earned two Air Force Commendation Medals and a Meritorious Service Medal for his service at WPAFB. After retiring from the Air Force, he continued his work with electronic defense systems in a civil service career. He retired from SRA International Inc in 2006. 

Hank was a Lifetime Member of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) and an Eagle Scout. During his college years, he returned to his childhood Boy Scout camp to work as a camp counselor. He taught swimming and sailing merit badge skills to young campers. He held a private pilot’s license in his younger years and enjoyed flying. He appreciated music of various genres and worked at his college radio station. Years later, he was proud to serve as a member of the Centerville Jazz Band’s Pitt Crew during his daughter’s high school marching band career. In his retirement, he enjoyed household projects and repairs. He was a devoted husband, and later a dedicated caregiver, to his wife of nearly 50 years as well as a loving father and grandfather. He told wonderful stories and always enjoyed a good (or bad) pun.

Hank is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Elaine Krauer. He is survived by his daughter Julie Helkowski, son-in-law Scott Helkowski, and grandchildren Andrew and Audrey Helkowski. 

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Hank’s caring and attentive neighbors, as well as his nurse Jodi from Davita Kettering. Whether for decades or months, these special people served as his village.

 A visitation with family will be held at Routsong Funeral Home, 81 North Main St, Centerville, Ohio, from 2 to 3 pm on Monday, October 7, 2024. 

In honor of Hank's memory, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, you enjoy a cup of extra hot black coffee and a toast to his life.