Dr. Richard Kraft

1931 - 2016

Richard H.P. Kraft

Dr. Richard H. P. Kraft was born on August 19, 1931, in Germany. As a child he lived through World War II in Berlin, and afterwards in communist dominated East-Germany. He became a student at Munich University and got married in the 1950s. In 1958 he and his wife immigrated to the United States. After earning a Ph.D. in economics and higher education at the University of California, Berkeley, he accepted a position at Florida State University in 1967, where he quickly rose to full professor. Besides teaching and research in the Department of Educational Leadership, he was at service for US-AID and the World Bank. For many years, even after retirement, he traveled throughout the world as an expert in finances, evaluating the needs of a country or an institution for financial support in the advancement of education. He met some very interesting people in his time and made friends everywhere. As a person of great integrity and a fun-loving, humorous disposition, he was widely liked and respected. And if one was blessed enough to hear one of his stories or read his published memoirs one would know how entertaining he could be.

For many years he volunteered at the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy as a teacher of fire arm use and safety. He had to slow down six years ago due to severe illness. Fortunately his daughter could be at his side. He showed his strong will and bodily fortitude, as he was able to beat terminal cancer, even after he was already in hospice care.

Richard Kraft is survived by his wife Helga, his daughter Melinda, and three grandchildren, Sebastian with wife Sarah, Nina, and Fabian. He died unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep in his home on October 31, 2016 at the age of 85.

There will be a memorial celebration on Friday, November 11, 2016, at his home at 5:00 p.m (call 576-4433 for directions). In lieu of flowers, donations to fund a memorial tree at San Louis Mission Park in memory of Dr. Richard H. P. Kraft made (donation to be sent to Friends of our Park, 912 Myers Park Dr.,Tallahassee, FL 32301). Todd Wahlquist with Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. 850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com