1918
Robert
2011
Robert C. Kroeger
August 25, 1918 — June 7, 2011
Robert "Bud" Carius Kroeger, age 92, of Coal Valley died Tuesday, June 7, 2011 in his home.
Cremation rites will be accorded. Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 13, 2011 at Rock River View Cemetery, Moline. Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. Moline is assisting the family.
Bud was born at home August 25, 1918 on a small farm near the Rock River in what was then rural Moline. He was the son of Robert and Anna Carius Kroeger.
Bud attended Maple Grove School, a one room schoolhouse in Prospect Park. Bud graduated Moline High School in 1936, and completed apprentice machinist training at the Rock Island Arsenal as a journeyman.
Bud worked for Boeing in Seattle from 1943-45, was drafted and served in the Army in Japan from 1946-48. He then returned to the area and was a dairy farmer from 1948-57. He returned to machining in 1957 and worked for John Deere Harvester Experimental (product development) from 1957-87. He stayed a farmer throughout and "allowed a small farm to operate him." Bud was more than anything a horseman, in fact, he was a horse nut.
Bud was a true renaissance man and filled his life with many varied interests. He was an artist, engineer, inventor, bird watcher, historian, scientist, animal husbandman, poet, traveler, photographer, and much more.
He is survived by his many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Ida Forslund.
Online condolences may be expressed to Bud's family by visiting his obituary at www.esterdahl.com.
Cremation rites will be accorded. Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 13, 2011 at Rock River View Cemetery, Moline. Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. Moline is assisting the family.
Bud was born at home August 25, 1918 on a small farm near the Rock River in what was then rural Moline. He was the son of Robert and Anna Carius Kroeger.
Bud attended Maple Grove School, a one room schoolhouse in Prospect Park. Bud graduated Moline High School in 1936, and completed apprentice machinist training at the Rock Island Arsenal as a journeyman.
Bud worked for Boeing in Seattle from 1943-45, was drafted and served in the Army in Japan from 1946-48. He then returned to the area and was a dairy farmer from 1948-57. He returned to machining in 1957 and worked for John Deere Harvester Experimental (product development) from 1957-87. He stayed a farmer throughout and "allowed a small farm to operate him." Bud was more than anything a horseman, in fact, he was a horse nut.
Bud was a true renaissance man and filled his life with many varied interests. He was an artist, engineer, inventor, bird watcher, historian, scientist, animal husbandman, poet, traveler, photographer, and much more.
He is survived by his many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Ida Forslund.
Online condolences may be expressed to Bud's family by visiting his obituary at www.esterdahl.com.
Service Details
Monday, June 13th, 2011, 11:00am, Rock River View Cemetery
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