Dr. Robert J. "Doc" Krenz Sr.

Dr. Robert J. 'Doc' Krenz Sr.

Born: July 16, 1923

Died: July 6, 2021

MENDOTA – Dr. Robert J. "Doc" Krenz Sr., 97, of Mendota, passed away July 6, 2021 in Heritage Health, with his loving family by his side.

Visitation will be Sunday, July 11, 2021 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church. Services will be Monday, July 12, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. in First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Mary Bohall officiating. Burial will follow in Restland Memorial Gardens, with full military rites conducted by Mendota V.F.W. Post #4079. Wasmer Funeral Home is privileged to assist the family.

Bob was born in rural Mendota on July 16, 1923 to Dr. Fred and Emma (Gower) Krenz. He married Marilyn J. Walton in Lincoln, Nebraska on May 12, 1947. He attended Lincoln Grade School, and led the Pledge of Allegiance as a first grader at its dedication in 1930. In high school he excelled in football and basketball. He was a very good student.

Bob enlisted in the Army several weeks after the Pearl Harbor attack. He served in the Army at Camp Grant in 1941. He trained as a trauma/combat medic in 1941 at Fitzsimons General Hospital in Denver. Bob attended the U of I – University of Chicago. After his DDS degree at the University of Nebraska, he re-enlisted in the Army again, serving at the Letterman General Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. After an internship and residency, he came back to Mendota to practice in 1950–1951. He re-enlisted in the Air Force Reserves during the Korean Conflict.

Doc went to the Dewey School of Orthodontics in New York, and was elected to the European Orthodontics Society. He loved dentistry and believed in being a continuous student. Doc belonged to A.D.A.–Illinois Valley Dental Society, in which he served as President from 1959-1960, was a member of International Association of Orthodontics, European Orthodontic Society, and the Academy of General Dentistry. He found time to help Marilyn raise 4 children!

Doc was a pillar of the community: well-known, well-liked, and a font of information. Doc was generous with his time, wisdom, and talents. He served his community selflessly in many ways. He was a founding member of the Jr. Chamber of Commerce in 1952, the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce, the Mendota Lions Club for 67 years, the American Legion Post #540 for 75 years. was a lifetime member of Mendota Elks Lodge #1212, a 65 year 32nd Degree Mason of the Masonic Fraternity serving under Walnut Lodge #722, and the York Rite Bodies of Ottawa, IL.

Dr. Bob won the Horace D. Hume Outstanding Service Award, the Trojan Hero Award, and was the Mendota Sweet Corn Festival Parade Grand Marshall in 2013. He helped establish the Mendota Jaycees and was a longtime member of the Mendota Museum and Historical Society. He and four others were instrumental in preserving the Mendota Golf Course from bankruptcy. Doc was privileged to participate in the Honor Flight to Washington DC. Doc was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church and taught high school Sunday school for years. He learned to fish, hunt, and swim as a youngster and enjoyed them all his life. He found training Brittany Spaniels honor points in hunting especially rewarding. He was a charter member and organizer of the first social fraternity at W.I.U., Sigma Tau Gamma, Xi Si Phi was his professional fraternity at Nebraska. He played and received freshman numerals in basketball and football in 1941, and played varsity football in 1942 before being called up. Dr. Bob could be found at most any Mendota sporting event, while Nebraska and W.I.U. were a constant source of interest. "Go Big Red" and the Leathernecks. Doc loved to joke and kid his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He will be dearly missed by two sons, Dr. James F. (Susan) Krenz and Dr. Jon C. (Kim) Krenz both of Mendota; daughter, Cathy (Dr. James A.) McGaughey of Villa Grove; grandchildren, Jessica (Dane) Richards of Toulon, Carrie (Nathan) Kiser of Villa Grove, Seth (Amy) McGaughey of Villa Grove, and Dr. Trip (Jessie) Krenz of Denver; great-grandchildren, C.J., Will, Gavin, Piper, Cameron, and Elliot; and the past and present staff at Krenz Dental Corp.

Doc is preceded by his parents, wife Marilyn on 9/22/2014; son, Robert Jr. 4/7/2015; grandson, Jake McGaughey in 2001; two brothers, Keith and Kenny Krenz; and many beloved four-legged companions. Memorials may be directed to: First United Methodist Church, Illinois Valley Animal Rescue, Mendota Booster Club or Mendota Area Senior Services.

Pallbearers will be Dr. Jim Keen, Chuck Fahler, Dane Richards. Greg Gromann, Mike Wasmer, Chase Bodmer and Carl Wacker.

Condolences may be left at wasmerfuneralhome.com.