James David Kruger paddled into the sunset on August 26th, his partner Becky of nearly thirty years and his brother Rick were at bedside.  Dave lived a life that revolved around public service, time in the outdoors, and a bit of gossip here and there. While his death is a time of sadness, it offers the opportunity to remember and celebrate his unique, slightly eccentric, and occasionally prickly persona.

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The eldest of four children, Dave was born in Oceanside, California on November 17th, 1944 to John (Jack) and Yvonne Kruger. He enjoyed growing up in southern California while it was relatively sparsely populated. Dave’s memories from childhood include living on a chicken ranch (where he conscripted Rick in an unsuccessful attempt to teach the chicks to fly), grunion hunting in the surf, building an adobe house, and digging a backyard fallout shelter.

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Upon graduation from San Dieguito High School, Dave enrolled at Harvey Mudd College and majored in chemistry. While he did not frequently discuss his time as a Mudder, Claremont’s proximity to the San Gabriel Mountains inspired an evolution from beach bum to explorer of mountains. Graduation in 1966 revealed a practicing nerd with a hunger for larger and wilder spaces.

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Pursuit of knowledge and wilderness led Dave to the University of Washington where he enrolled as a doctoral candidate in organic chemistry. He joined the university’s mountaineering club and worked his way up the mentorship ladder to become a trip leader. It was on a club trip that he met his future wife, Belinda Kruger, who fell in love with the bespectacled nerd sporting a dubious moustache.

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The couple enjoyed a courtship that revolved around leaving Seattle in a battered Chevrolet station wagon to explore the Cascade Mountains. Notable trips include explorations to the newly created North Cascades National Park and an early ascent of the complete Ptarmigan Traverse. Dave and Belinda married in October of 1971.

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Dave had a life-long passion for education and leadership. Upon completing his doctoral studies in 1973 he accepted a position teaching chemistry at Clatsop Community College. It seems likely that this decision was heavily influenced by the incomparable views from the college’s chemistry lab. Dave taught at CCC until 2000. Former students mention his ability to make chemistry approachable, his commitment to students, unusual front of class stretching regime, and penchant for wearing shorts year round. While at Clatsop he met a number of lifelong friends and mentors.

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1973 also marked the birth of Belinda and Dave’s only child Ian Kruger. Dave approached parenting as a bit of a mystery and was fortunate to have a supportive guide in Belinda. Ian recalls a childhood of backpacking and cross country skiing, with just enough fishing to keep an exhausted child engaged through the last mile of a long day. The relationship evolved and enjoyed a foundation of mutual respect and admiration for each other’s strengths. Ian is hoping that he did not inherit his father’s sense of fashion.

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Following Dave and Belinda’s divorce in 1988 he entered a period of reflection.  Dave was grateful for the support of his closest friends. Diversions at this time began with stunt kite flying and evolved into an obsession for sea kayaking. He also devoted his energies to KMUN, a dedication that continued throughout his life.

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Meeting Rebecca (Becky) Dean at the Riccardi Gallery in 1992 was a milestone in Dave’s life. Becky provided Dave with his missing companion and adventure buddy. The two were partners in innumerable adventures on the water, first in sea kayaks and later in Dave’s hand built boat the Surf Scoter. Notable trips include paddling in Haida Gwaii, the Broughton Group, the west coast of Vancouver Island, and innumerable days spent gunkholing the Columbia River. Dave and Becky married in 2011. Their home on the south slope of Astoria has served as an adventure base and family gathering spot for the last fifteen years. Becky was unable to break Dave’s habit of wearing socks with sandals.

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Throughout his life Dave cycled through a number of passions from mountaineering to steelhead fishing, RC planes, stunt kites, kayaking, and boat building. His love of and commitment to family, friends, and students was unwavering. He will be missed by many and would undoubtedly appreciate it if you shared irreverent photos and memories of your time with him.

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Dave is survived by his wife Rebecca (Becky) Dean, son Ian Kruger (Suzanne), brothers Rick and Jon Kruger, Becky’s children Dan (Melissa “Missy” Jensen-Smith) and Stacy Smith, and former wife Belinda Kruger. Dave was fortunate to have grandchildren in his life and is survived by Mari Ramarui, Dano Smith, Roslin Jenkins, Jacob Jensen, and Bailey Jensen. His parents Jack and Yvonne Kruger predeceased him as did his sister Linda Kruger.

 

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to the community radio station KMUN.

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