Richard Kareth Kruse, Jr. was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 3, 1938. He was the son of Richard Kareth Kruse, Sr, also of Cincinnati, and Virginia Kelley Kruse of Maysville, Kentucky and was the eldest of 3 (Donald Lee and Merry Lee). During his childhood, Richard moved from Cincinnati to Peekshill, New York where he graduated valedictorian from Peekshill High School. His education took him to Rensselear Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in management engineering. His fraternities were Pi Tau Sigma and Tau Beta Pi, honorary engineering. After college, he joined the United States Air Force and while serving as a Lieutenant at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton Ohio, he met and married Polly Paulin of Hamilton, OH (b. 1939, d. 2006) on February 14, 1964.

Richard joined NCR Corporation in 1965 as head of the Industrial Engineering Services department. He subsequently held a number of management positions, including Operations Director for the Data Terminals Division as well as General Manager of Engineering and Manufacturing in Cambridge, OH. He was appointed Vice President, Retail Systems – Development and Production Division in 1980. In 1986, he was appointed Vice President of Quality Assurance. In 1989, he became Vice President of Manufacturing and Quality Assurance and oversaw the global operations of Manufacturing and Cooperate Quality Assurance for NCR. He retired from NCR in 1994 after many wonderful, cherished years of working within the NCR corporate family.

During his retirement, he served on many Boards including those at The University of Dayton. Richard and Polly retired to Sanibel, FL. After the passing of Polly in 2006, Richard married Gerry Meyer of Centerville, OH on December 28, 2007. After Gerry’s passing, Richard met Catherine (Cathy) Suthard in 2012. Richard and Cathy were best friends, constant companions, and devoted to each other’s health and happiness until the end.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his fiancé Cathy Suthard (formally of Columbus, OH and currently of Sanibel, FL and Lake Forest, IL); eldest daughter Kathleen Anne Barnes (Keith) of Zionsville, IN; son John Richard Kruse (Jennifer) of Indian Hills, OH; and youngest daughter Jennifer Paulina Moorhead (David) of Tipp City, OH. His beloved grandchildren: Sarah, Laura, Hannah of Zionsville, IN; Ben, Jack and Graham of Indian Hills, OH; Henry and Emily of Tipp City, OH.

He was an active golfer, tennis player, accomplished painter, bridge player, enthusiastic global traveler, Christian, and continuously searched for truth and beauty within the human spirit. His humble manners always enlightened those who encountered him, and his wisdom, kindness and humility was always felt by so many who were blessed to have encountered him during his lifetime. He was the spiritual leader of our family, constantly present in all of our lives, and forever the mentor and guide of our moral compasses. The vacancy of his presence will eternally be immeasurable.

Richard Kruse was certainly ushered to the front of the line to be with God in His eternal kingdom on Thursday, November 30, 2017. “Thy will be done-” rest in peace in Heaven, dearest and beloved father, grandfather, husband, fiancé, son, brother and friend, we love you. Thank you for blessing us in all of our lives. A finer man there will never be.

Funeral home: Harvey-Engelhardt Funeral Home, Ft. Myers, FL 239.936.2177 (www.harvey-engelhardt.com)

To honor Richard’s life, donations can be made to the following organizations which he held close to his heart:

Hope Hospice               Big ARTS Sanibel
9470 Healthpark Circle            900 Dunlop Road
Ft. Myers, FL 33908            Sanibel, FL 33957

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