Walter Curtis Krueger

April 28, 1942 – January 15, 2024

Hillsboro Beach, Florida: Walter ("Walt") Curtis Krueger passed away suddenly from heart failure on January 15, 2024. Tools in one hand, cane in the other, and his beautiful wife Carol by his side, Walt was doing what he enjoyed most when he passed – on his way to play with their youngest grandchildren and help one of his son-in law's with a handyman project.

Walter was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 28, 1942, the son of Donald Gerard and Sarah "Elaine" Krueger. From an early age, Walter enjoyed the wilderness and recalls fond memories of his father dropping him off at campsites with his friend Steve so they could learn sailing and survival skills. His favorite childhood moments were with his older sister, Kathleen, eating his mother's baked goods, playing with cousins at Grandma Krueger's house, snowball fights, and counting bats at the "shanty up north" in Oscoda. Family was the most important part of Walt's life, and even into his older years, he enjoyed travelling cross country to visit relatives - his last visit was in October to see his niece and flower girl, Christine (Mark) Heman. He treasured family reunions; enjoying his last Krueger family cruise along with his cousin and "Admiral" Ron Krueger and his family in July 2023.

After graduating from Mackenzie High School in Detroit, Michigan, and at the urging of his father, Walt entered a technical service & electronics program. This marked the beginning of a successful engineering career that was well-suited for Walt; he was passionate about understanding how things worked and loved fixing things. No challenge was too big for Walt! He worked as a senior field service engineer at Rockwell Automation (formerly Reliance Electric) for 38 years before he retired in 2007.

Walt proudly enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1964. He worked as a technician on radar and guided missles on fighter jets during the Vietnam War. Walt had a sense of adventure and his travels aboard the U.S. Kitty Hawk sparked his interest in travel.

Soon after starting his career in Cleveland, he fell in love at first sight with a beautiful girl dressed in brown with a beehive hairdo. He vividly recalled approaching Carol Ann at a bar, and appreciated her nice manners. Carol was immediately attracted to Walt's sense of humor and light-hearted nature. Walt never tired of trying to solicit a laugh from those around him - whether he was performing a magic trick for his nephew and nieces or telling one of his favorite jokes. After a short engagement, the two married at St. Paul Church in Carol's hometown of Salem, Ohio on May 31, 1969. The young couple moved to a small 3-bedroom cape cod home in Downers Grove, Illinois and welcomed their daughter Colleen Marie in 1971. Soon followed Donald Paul (1973) and Karen Lynn (1976). They were all surprised by a 4th child in 1982, Kimberly Ann, who completed their family. With a focus on ensuring their children had the best possible education, they moved to Portage, Michigan in 1974.

Walt believed in the value of hard work and self-reliance. He kept the pay stubs from when he first entered the workforce at 14 - Rodman's Pet Store. While he dedicated long hours to his career, he always made sure he was home in time for Carol's delicious home-cooked dinners and the company of his family. Walt also appreciated vacations. The first year he earned 4 weeks vacation (1988), he rented a motorhome to tour the western states of the U.S. with his family. His family has fond memories from this trip and the beautiful landscapes.

As a lifelong Michigander, Walt loved the outdoors. Some of his fondest memories were taking his family on his sailboat. While Walt loved fishing, as the ultimate family man, he found himself spending most of his time behind the wheel of his motorboat towing water skiers and tubers or tinkering on his boat with his son Don on the weekends. Walt was a proud do-it-yourself'er and loved perusing the aisles of Home Depot. Walt was his happiest when he was telling a story while playing cards or working a puzzle and enjoying a bowl of popcorn and cold beer. He also loved meeting new people and learning their stories. He wanted to make sure everyone felt welcomed in his home.

Walt and Carol made the most of their golden years – from touring the country in their motorhome to attending their beloved grandchildren's special events and activities – they made quite the team! They moved to Farmington Hillls, Michigan in 2016 to be closer to their grandchildren. They purchased land in Florida during their honeymoon, and while that investment wasn't as fruitful as their marriage, Walt was grateful to return to Florida to spend the final few winters of his life with his youngest daughter Kimberly and her young family. Walt loved the ocean breeze, and he and Carol enjoyed watching the boats and wildlife along the intercoastal from their 9th floor condo in Hillsboro Beach FL, or "Cloud 9" as Walt liked to refer to it.

Walt was an incredible son, uncle, husband, dad and grandfather, and his family will miss him immensely. His greatest love, Carol, will especially miss the excitement that Walt always brought to every adventure. Carol and Walt dedicated their lives to their 4 children Colleen (Michael) Moscone, Donald (Ellen) Krueger, Karen (Joseph) Leone, and Kimberly (Arthur) Zapesochny, and their 11 grandchildren Peter Moscone, Carolyn Moscone, Lucas Moscone, Evan Leone, Samuel Moscone, Christian Leone, Charlotte Moscone, Ella Leone, James Zapesochny, Claudia Zapesochny and Mariela Zapesochny. Walt leaves behind his sister Kathleen Hayduke; nieces Christine (Mark) Heman, Daniel (Cathy) Hayduke, Becky (Rex) Hart, Stacy Hayduke, and many more treasured relatives and friends. While his family wasn't able to say good-bye to Walt, they are comforted in knowing that he spent his final days doing what he loves most - enjoying a movie with his sweetheart Carol, entertaining guests from Cloud 9, and climbing a ladder to fix a light at his daughter's house. The night before Walt passed was a typical family Sunday spent surrounded by loved ones watching the Detroit Lions win the playoff game and playing cards with his namesake, James Walter.

The family is also comforted in knowing that Walt is reunited with his parents, Don and Elaine Krueger, brother-in laws Gregory "Harry" Hayduke and Paul "Tom" Corso, so many beloved uncles and aunts including Uncle "Happy" Tait and Uncle Vernon Krueger, as well as great friends Dave Orlowski and Jimmy King.

Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation 4-8 pm Friday, January 26, 2024 at the O'Brien/Sullivan Funeral Home 41555 Grand River Novi, MI 48375. Vigil service Friday, 7 pm.

A rite of committal and military honors (United States Navy and American Legion Post 32) at 11 am Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery (Meet at 10 Mile Entrance inside Cemetery gates 10:45 AM) 25800 W. Ten Mile Rd. Southfield, MI.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Walt's memory to Wounded Warrior Project:

https://communityfundraising.woundedwarriorproject.org/campaign/In-memory-of-Walter-C--Krueger