Robert Oliver Kron Sr.
March 10, 1920 - May 30, 2013
ROBERT OLIVER KRON SR.
1920 – 2013
Robert Oliver Kron Sr., 93, died from causes incident to age on May 30, 2013. Known to friends and family as Kronie, he was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin to Letty and Edmund Kron on March 10, 1920. He grew up in a home of inventions, machinery, and experimentation. His father was a chauffeur responsible for the maintenance of the cars he drove for his employer and Kronie developed an early curiosity for mechanical things that later lead to his desire to become a metallurgical engineer.
Kronie and Frances Clugston were married in Colorado Springs December 3, 1943 while Kronie served as a first lieutenant in the Army Air Corps during WWII. Kronie’s love of airplanes allowed him to exercise his skills as an engineering whiz kid. Following his Pacific military experience, Kronie returned to the United States to greet his young bride and son, Robert O. Kron, Jr. (Rok). After completion of his college education, Kronie, Frannie, and Rok moved to Utah to begin a long career in metallurgical engineering. The birth of twin sisters Kate and Jean in 1948 was followed by the birth of Elizabeth in 1955.
His children will always remember their annual California sojourn to visit Kronie’s parents. This adventure was fraught with unexpected mechanical problems with the 1947 green Ford. Donner Pass, Nevada annually heard Kronie’s warning to Frannie in the front seat, and Jean, Doots, Liz, and Rok in the back seat: “Frannie, she’s gonna blow!” And sure enough, a boiling spout of vapor materialized under the hood as the old Ford overheated yet another time.
He was an inventor, tinkerer, camper, hiker, traveler, Boy Scout leader and a miner in the Cactus mine. He possessed a genius for design and development. At age 50, all these skills came into play when a sudden career change required him to design and supervise the construction of a new metallurgical plant, Industrial Heat Treat.
After Frannie’s death in 2001, Kronie joined a hiking club and met Barbara West. They were married in 2002 and had 11 very good years together traveling the world. Barb was finally able to teach Kronie the difference between a basketball and a tennis racquet. He loved her family and marveled at her 15 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife Barbara West; three children Rok Kron (Judy), Kate Watson (Michael), Liz Quealy (Pat); his wife Barbara West; five grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Frannie, and his daughter Jean Falsone (Sam).
A memorial service will be held at the First Unitarian Church, 569 South 1300 East, on June 8th at 10:00 AM with a residential open house immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.starksfuneral.com
In Loving Memory
Barbara and family: My condolences to you for the lose of Bob. I knew him from some of Varney's family parties but really enjoyed his company and great spirit. I will miss him at those gatherings. May you find comfort that he has gone on to big and better things. His pain is gone. Sig Koch (Zane's father.)
Sig Koch Jr
Draper, UT
Rocky, Kathy and Liz, I'm sorry for your loss. Bob was a friend that used to drop by in my motorcycle shop. I loved to talk to him. I didn't know he shared my first passion, hiking. Rocky, I clearly remember your MG stuffed against the wall in your garage. You were an inspiration to me. I've always loved cult type cars, I have a couple now. Kathy, I always thought you and Jean were beautiful. The appeal of older women. One year older is a lot when you're 12 or 13. Liz, I remember you as a cute little, little girl. I feel your loss and offer my condolences. My folks still on Sunset View, send theirs as well. If you want to talk, I'd enjoy it. I'm in the book or npolevoy at msn dot com. Nicky Polevoy
nicholas polevoy
holladay, UT