Ronald J. Kraus Sr.

Ronald J. Kraus, Sr. 1939 - 2012 NASHUA, NH - Ronald Joseph Kraus, Sr., 73, local businessman, philanthropist, educator, retired US Air Force Vietnam Veteran, of Nashua, New Hampshire died on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, New Hampshire. Mr. Kraus was born in New York, New York on January 16, 1939, a son of the late Joseph W. and Alice (Schwagerl) Kraus. He was the husband of Donna (Varney) Kraus whom he married on October 8, 1989. They shared 22 years of marriage. Education was a driving force in Mr. Kraus' life and as such he completed many avenues of study including his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Manhattan College in New York, NY, Certificate in Atmospheric Physics from Mass Institute of Technology, Boston, MA, MBA in Business Management from Webster University, St. Louis, MO, Master of Education in Educational Psychology from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from Boston University. Mr. Kraus was CEO of Bausch Articulating Papers, Inc. from August 1997 to the present. He also was former vice president of institutional advancement at Rivier College, which recently became Rivier University on July 1. He played a key role in the school's decision in 1990 to become a fully co-ed institution. Rivier allowed men into its undergraduate day program starting in September 1991 and increased enrollment has helped the school thrive in Nashua and expand its national and global reach. He, as well, lectured at Rivier College and Daniel Webster Colleg and Anna Maria College in Paxton, MA. Mr. Kraus was President and served as Executive Director of New England Colleges Foundation from May 1990 - present and President of Tufts University Foundation in Andover, MA from September 1997 to present. Mr. Kraus was President and served on the Board of Directors for Nashua Education Foundation from June 2009 to present. He served on the Board of Directors for several years of The Front Door Agency, (formerly The Care Center) including serving as President. He also led their Endowment Campaign and Strategic Planning. He was a member of Rotary Club of Nashua, West. Mr. Kraus was a Chairman of the Board for the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce and received the President's Award from the Chamber in 2007,and was instrumental in the development of the Leadership Greater Nashua program. He was the consummate student, always learning and passing on his knowledge. He had the talent of connecting people to people. He was a 20 year United States Air Force veteran who served in the Vietnam Era and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After retiring from the Air Force, he spent 20 years in higher education spending most of that time at Anna Maria College. Mr. Kraus had a zest for life that was contagious. He enjoyed boating, travel, reading, writing, music, fishing, and at one time was a runner. Mr. Kraus was a communicant of Immaculate Conception Parish in Nashua, and was instrumental in the construction of the present church building. He was predeceased by a daughter, Virginia Kraus Moughan who died in September 2004. In addition to his wife, Donna of Nashua, survivors include five children, Ronald J. Kraus, Jr. and his wife Rachel of Medfield, MA, Kevin J. Kraus and his wife Kerri of San Rafael, CA, Heather M. Kraus of Worcester, MA, Ethan E. Kraus of Nashua and Allison P. Kraus of Nashua, NH; his son-in-law, Thomas Moughan of Leicester, MA; seven grandchildren, Sarah Moughan, Emily Moughan, Ryan Kraus, Emma Kraus, Dylan Kraus, Ava Kraus and John Kraus; a brother, Joseph D. Kraus and his wife Geralyn of State College, PA; former wife, Virginia A. Kraus of Shrewsbury, MA; his mother-in-law Patricia Varney of Springfield, MA, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Linda and Rudolph Brooks of Standish, ME; Dale and Amy Varney of E. Longmeadow, MA and Kevin and Regina Varney of Wilbraham, MA; several nieces and nephews. SERVICES: Visiting Hours will be held at Davis Funeral Home, One Lock Street, Nashua on Sunday, July 15, 2012 from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. A Funeral Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Parish, 216 East Dunstable Road, Nashua on Monday, July 16, 2012 at 1:00 P.M. Friends are invited to attend. Interment Prayers, Military Rites, and Burial will follow in Edgewood Cemetery, Nashua. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a donation to: Nashua Education Foundation, c/o Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, 142 Main Street 5th Floor, Nashua, NH 03060, or Home, Health & Hospice Care, c/o Development, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054, or The Front Door Agency, 7 Concord Street, Nashua, NH 03064. Arrangements are in care of the DAVIS FUNERAL HOME, One Lock Street, Nashua, www.davisfuneralhomenh.com, (603-883-3401) "ONE MEMORY LIGHTS ANOTHER".