Robert G. Kruse

Robert G. Kruse, 89 of Green Bay, passed away comfortably on Friday, September 20, 2024.

He was born on June 28, 1935, in Shawano, WI to Grover and Florence (Schultz) Kruse. As a teen, Bob worked at the Schultz farm in Shawano. He attended West High and graduated with the class of 1953. He then joined the US Navy from 1952 to 1956 and Navy reserve until 1960. He honorably patrolled the seas on the USS LENAWEE in the Korean War. He was awarded two medals, national defense in service and China service medal for his service to the Navy and being on Chinese waters. He often commented that although he was in a war, being in the Navy gave him the opportunity to experience other parts of the world.

 
After returning to the states, he worked a few jobs then attended the police academy. Upon graduating from the academy in 1972 he joined the Brown County Sheriff’s department as a Traffic Officer. From there, he moved up to detective in drug enforcement and received the family nickname “Deputy Dog”. He enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow officers. 
Upon retirement in 1991, he had the opportunity to do the things he loved: fishing, hunting with his brothers and nephews, and especially the trips up to Canada and Lake Gogebic. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family and talking sports and politics with his nephew Danny. In Bob’s retirement he loved to play the slots at the casino to exercise what he called his “slot finger”. One could say, he lived his life to the fullest always keeping a great sense of humor and finding ways to “slow his roll”. 
He is survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents: Grover and Florence (Schultz) Kruse; siblings: Carl Kruse, Donald Kruse, William Kruse, Lila Ulrich, Margaret Ulrich, Alice Kabacinski, Mae Huntington, Adeline Weatherwax, Jeanette Bartow and Inez Lambert. He would often refer to himself as “the last one standing”. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Bellin Hospital staff for the love and care they offered Bob and his family.
Burial will take place at 11:00 am., on Friday, November 1st, 2024, at Woodlawn Cemetery, 1115 E. Green Bay St., Shawano, with full military honors accorded by VFW Post #2723. A Celebration of Life will follow burial from 1-4pm on November 1st, 2024, indoors at the Shawano Lake Park Pavilion, 5785 Lake Dr., Shawano, WI.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with Bob's family on his tribute page at www.lyndahl.com.

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