Robert R. Kruger, 75

Robert R. Kruger, 75, of Omaha, died Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010, in Elkhorn.

Services were Monday, Sept. 27, at Fort Calhoun Presbyterian Church. Interment was at the Fort Calhoun Cemetery.

Robert R. "Bob" Kruger was born March 8, 1935, in Omaha to Paul and Beatrice "Bea" Kruger.

He is survived by is wife of 54 years, Marcia; daughter and son-in-law, Marcia and Tom Schnack; son, Gene Kruger; grandsons, Brian Kruger, and Jason and Taylor Schnack.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Alice Kruger and Dorothy Anderson; and brother, Paul "Jim" Kruger.

Memorials are suggested to the Fort Calhoun American Legion Post 348.

Sievers-Sprick Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

World Herald 24 Sep 2010

(photo) (veteran)

Banker’s generosity grew from tough times

By Jane Palmer World Herald Staff Writer

Omaha banker Robert Kruger used to say fear of failure spurred him to success.

He was elected president of Ames Plaza Bank, later known as Western Security Bank, in 1975. He played an active role in the bank until it was sold and he retired in 2007.

Through the years, he found joy in sharing the fruits of his good fortune in the banking business with those who needed it.

In 2004, he arranged to donate $1,000 to the family of each Nebraska soldier who had died in Afghanistan or Iraq. In 2006, he donated $1 million to the then-troubled athletic department at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Kruger, 75, died of throat cancer Wednesday at Brookestone Meadows Rehabilitation and Care Center.

The son of Paul Krueger, a Fort Calhoun cattle feeder and Nebraska political figure, he graduated from Fort Calhoun High School and served in the Navy from 1953 to 1955.

As a young man, he operated a successful door-to-door sales company. But his prosperity abruptly ended when a Nebraska Supreme Court ruling said the contracts signed by his customers were invalid and need not be paid.

Kruger was soon broke and $30,000 in debt. He turned to selling insurance and automobiles while struggling to support his family.

In 1968, he brokered the sale of a bank between two business acquaintances. The commission caught his attention and he looked for more opportunities in banking.

Between 1968 and 1975, he arranged for or participated himself in the purchase or sale of about 100 banks. He also had an interest in Omaha’s Mid-City Bank.

In 1975, he and several other Omaha businessmen purchased a controlling interest in Ames Plaza Bank from the Brodkey family of Omaha. Kruger was the largest stockholder, with a 45 percent interest. The bank had about $20 million in assets.

Son Greg Kruger worked with his father for 27 years in the banking business.

He said his father often recalled being 30 years old and feeling desperate because of the debts from his failed door-to-door business.

“He went in the basement and prayed to God,” Greg Kruger said. “He said if God would show him the way out he would help others.”

Shortly thereafter his situation turned.

“He was very generous,” his son said. “I can’t tell you how many bank loans we wrote off. Back in the day, we paid for health insurance for all our employees.”

Bob Kruger read and recommended books on positive thinking. At Christmas time he delighted in giving bonuses to employees and in handing out crisp new $50 bills as tips and spur-of-the-moment gifts to people he met, his son said.

Kruger’s other survivors include his wife of 54 years, Marcia Kruger; daughter Marcia Schnack, both of Omaha; and three grandsons.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Presbyterian Church, 123 N. 13th St., in Fort Calhoun, Neb. Visitation will also be at the church, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

World Herald 27 Sep 2010

(photo) (veteran)

Kruger, Robert R. “Bob”

Age 75

Omaha. Preceded in death by parents Paul and Beatrice (Bea) Kruger, sister Alice Kruger, brother Paul (Jim) Kruger, and sister Dorothy Anderson. Survived by wife of 54 years Marcia Kruger; also daughter and son-in-law, Marcia and tom Schnack, son Greg Kruger; and grandsons, Brian Kruger, Jason and Taylor Schnack, and sisters-in-law, Francies (Deanie) Kruger, alice Doss, brother-in-law, Robert Anderson, and nieces and nephews.

VISITATION 4-8pm Sunday, September 26th with family receiving friends from 5-8pm Ft. Calhoun Presbyterian church, 123 N. 13th St. Ft. Calhoun, NE 68023. FUNERAL SERVICE 11am on Monday, September 27th also at the Church. Interment at the Fort Calhoun Cemetery. Memorials suggested to Fort Calhoun American Legion Post #348, 1311 Court Street, Fort Calhoun, NE 68023. Celebration of Life following interment: at Champions Run, 13800 Eagle Run Drive, Omaha, NE 68164.

SIEVERS-SPRICK Ft. Calhoun, NE 402-468-5678

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~