Marvin Arndt Krogh

1942 - 2018

Marvin Arndt Krogh passed away on March 30, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska, from complications of Lewy Body Dementia.
Born on Jan. 24, 1942, in Detroit, Mich., to John A. and Olga (Pelo) Krogh, Marv spent his childhood growing up in nearby Dearborn, Mich., where he graduated from Edsel Ford High School. Upon graduation, he attended Central Michigan University and earned a bachelor's in Business Administration. During his time in college, he discovered a lifelong passion for flying and obtained his private pilot's license.
After college, Marv went to serve in the Peace Corps for two years, teaching physical education to school children in the mountains of San Juan de Colon, Tachira, in Venezuela. He then returned to Michigan, where he flew commercially for Zantop Airlines out of Willow Run Airport near Detroit. In 1974, Marv hitchhiked from Michigan to Anchorage to join a sheep hunt with his college roommate. Within the first 24 hours, Marv met his future wife Janet (Hafling). They married in 1977 and remained in Alaska together for 44 years.
Marv was quickly hired for the start of the trans-Alaska pipeline. He worked the entire three years the pipeline was being built, serving in various camps which included Delta, Old Man, Happy Valley and Toolik. Once the pipeline was completed, Marv became an accomplished house builder and built multiple rental properties in the Birchwood/Chugiak area. He also did many of his own additions on his first home in Spenard and eventually built his new family home from scratch in the Sand Lake area.
Serving briefly as an Alaska State Trooper, Marv found his calling with the Anchorage Fire Department. He served for 30 years, earning a Fire Science degree, and numerous certificates from the National Fire Academy along the way. Always known for his easy-going attitude and remarkable physical shape, Marv retired in 2010 as the Senior Captain of Station 7 (Jewel Lake), at the age of 70. He not only loved the department and his crew while working, but often assisted others off duty, which included vehicle accidents, medical assists, structural fires and even a plane crash at Mulcahy Field while simultaneously coaching high school baseball.
When not at the station, Marv could be found at Lake Hood, flying his red and white Piper PA-12 floatplane since 1982. Marv was known to be one of the first in the water during the spring and also one of the last out, just before the winter freeze. He spent much of his time fishing at the Deshka River, duck hunting in Trading Bay or exploring much of the Susitna Valley. Many were lucky enough to be recipients of his morning deliveries of fresh fish, ducks and other harvests before reporting for his 9 a.m. shift as a fireman. His helpfulness, wisdom and kind demeanor earned him many friends at Lake Hood, the hockey rink and at his morning "coffee club."
Marv had a lifelong love for sports and he was known for his athletic prowess, even in his later years. He excelled in many sports, and as a young man, he focused mostly on baseball, wrestling and football. His skills and talents in these areas were recognized in leadership positions on his teams and new records at his school. An avid hockey player, Marv played hockey at every chance. Even after his retirement, he was an active member of the Old Timers hockey association. He would often compete nationally and internationally at hockey tournaments in Canada, the United Kingdom and even at the Snoopy's Senior World Tournament, an event founded by Peanuts creator Charles Shultz and held yearly in Santa Rosa, Calif. Once Marv became a father, he became active in coaching youth baseball and hockey. He had an uncanny memory for important plays, statistics and kept up with any technical rule changes. Marv was also known to be a beloved fan of any sports team from Michigan.
Marv loved his wife and two boys dearly, his Irish Water Spaniels, yearly pheasant hunting trips to South Dakota, moose, sheep and duck hunting, coaching baseball and hockey, flying and appreciated each day of his life as he knew how to live it fully. But perhaps all remember Marv for his consistent caring for others, love of family and friends, and his warm smile and twinkle in his eye.
Marv was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Jerry. His survivors include his wife, Janet; his sons, Theodore and Arne; future daughter-in-law, Roxanne Gillam; and his beloved Piper PA-12. Additionally, he is survived by his sister, Marlene (David) Knoll; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Connie and Bill Chambers; and various nieces and nephews. A special thank you to Andy Gordon for his loyalty during Marv's later years, and the wonderful direct care providers at KRO Assisted Living.
A private burial service will be held in the early summer at a later date. In lieu of any formal gathering, the Krogh family encourages others to pay respects to Marvin by attending a favorite youth sporting event, striking up a friendly conversation with a stranger, joining a morning gathering of coffee with friends or spending quality time in the outdoors – all activities Marvin was known for and loved to do.
We are better people for being around him and he will be greatly missed.