Robert Harrison Krieger

Robert Harrison Krieger, 87, of Saranac Lake, New York, formerly of Aberdeen, Maryland, died peacefully just after midnight on June 18, 2008 at his oldest son's home in Bel Air, MD. He was born January 10, 1921 in Baltimore, MD, the son of Raymond and Anna Krieger. He lived in Baltimore until 1930. He began sixth grade in Saranac Lake, NY, where his family moved to facilitate his father's convalescence from tuberculosis. After graduating from Saranac Lake High School in 1938 where he played hockey and baseball, he returned to Baltimore, and worked at Hochschild Kohn and Glenn L. Martin Aircraft until 1943 when he joined the Navy. Accepted into the prestigious V-12 program, Robert was assigned by the Navy to attend college year round, first at the University of Virginia, then at the University of Michigan where he obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering with Honors in 1946. He was stationed at the McDonald Aircraft plant at Lambert Field in St. Louis, MO as a naval engineering officer in the Bureau of Aeronautics before ultimately being transferred to Washington, DC. Robert was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946 as an Ensign. After his discharge, he moved back to Baltimore where he rejoined the Glenn L. Martin Company as an aeronautical engineer. He began his career as a civilian employee of the US Army in 1948 when he joined the staff at the Ballistic Research Laboratories at Aberdeen Proving Ground to specialize in wind tunnel testing and aeronautical research. He earned his Masters Degree in aeronautical engineering at night from Johns Hopkins University while working at APG full time. He married Vivian Johnson in 1949 and they moved to Aberdeen, MD in 1953 where together they raised their family a short commute from his work. He worked for 33 years at BRL and ultimately became the Chief of the Wind Tunnel Group in charge of 50 scientists and technicians and 4 wind tunnels. He retired in 1977 after 33 years of dedicated government service. During his years in Aberdeen, Robert was very active in the lives of his children and community. He coached youth baseball, softball and football for over 20 years. He served as President of three separate PTAs. He was elected an Aberdeen Town Commissioner and ultimately became Mayor. He served on the Town's planning board. He was on the board of Grace Methodist Church and served as its financial officer. He loved sports, in particular, his beloved Baltimore Colts, a passion his family grew to share. He taught his boys how to play golf and enjoyed playing himself. Six years after the untimely death of his wife Vivian in 1983, after 34 years of marriage, Robert moved back to Saranac Lake, NY where a number of his high school friends still resided and his high school sweetheart, Dolores Kilroy, also a widow, was still living. They rekindled their relationship and while they never married, they became nearly inseparable for 19 years until her death in 2003. Together they enjoyed bingo, playing cards, eating out, going to concerts and social events and watching movies. During his years in Saranac Lake, Robert or "Buzz" as he became better known, was an energetic volunteer at the local senior center. He managed the bingo program and called the numbers every Monday night. He served on and chaired numerous committees, managed multiple capital projects and worked for the center in any capacity that was required. He began serving on its board in 1992 and became President in 2007. He was voted Senior of the Year in 1994. Robert is survived by his two sons: Scott and his wife Becky of Bel Air, MD and Kenneth of Manassas, VA and one daughter: Marlene Ruth and her husband Brian of Manassas, VA. He is further survived by six grandchildren: Kelly Hunt and her husband Christopher of Alexandria, VA; Jonathan Krieger of Ashville, NC.; Alexandra Krieger of Manassas, VA; Kyle Krieger of Miami, FL; and Shelby and Carly Ruth of Manassas, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Saranac Lake Adult Center, PO Box 864 135 Broadway Street Saranac Lake, NY 12983; or Harford Hospice, Tyler Ridge II, 8003 Corporate Drive, Suite G Baltimore, MD 21236; or Johns Hopkins University c/o Ralph H. Hruban, M.D. Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions 401 North Broadway, Weinberg 2242 Baltimore, MD 21231-2410. A memorial has been established at www.tarringcargo.com for Robert's friends and family to pay their respects on this website. Friends and family may call at Tarring Cargo Funeral Home 333 S Parke St. Aberdeen, MD between 7 and 9 pm on Friday June 20, 2008. A memorial service celebrating Robert's life is scheduled for 2:00 pm on Saturday June 21, 2008 at Grace Methodist Church 110 W Bel Air Ave. Aberdeen, MD 21001. The family will receive guests beginning at 1:00 pm in the church parlor followed by a Memorial Service in the sanctuary. A private burial for family will be held prior to the service at Harford Memorial Gardens. Funeral Home: Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home 333 South Parke Street Aberdeen, MD US 21001