Robert C. Krugh

(Asbury Park Press)

ROBERT C. KRUGH
AGE: 83 MIDDLETOWN
Robert C. Krugh, 83, of Middletown, peacefully entered into eternal life in the early hours of Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born on a farm in Mendon, Ohio, on July 12, 1927 to the late Albert and Elsie Krugh, he called many towns, cities, and countries home throughout his life. Bob joined the Marine Corps at the age of 17, serving in the 1st Marine Division in the Battle of Okinawa, followed by tours in China and Korea. His various assignments included: Burial Escort Duty for WWII casualties returned to the States after the War; USMC Recruiting Officer; and, later, Director for all USMC funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. He remained a very proud, but humble Marine for the rest of his life, and was a member of the Phillip K. Reynolds Marine Corps League Detachment in Freehold. On New Year's Eve 1965, Bob married the former Mary Keane of Belmar. Their wedding was followed by a reception at Bamm Hollow Country Club, Lincroft, where Bob had become Manager in 1964. Many of Middletown's young people had their first jobs under his direction at "the Club." Bob achieved great success in business after the military. Following 15 years at Bamm Hollow, he managed Shadow Lake Village, and then began a career with K. Hovnanian Companies. During the 1970s and 1980s, he managed Hovnanian's condominium developments in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and New Hampshire. During his various executive positions, he was the president of the Middletown Chamber of Commerce and the president of New Jersey Condominium Association Inc. and, in 1972, was voted the Middletown Businessman of the Year. He was a dedicated member of St. Catharine's Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel, where he served as an usher for many years. His family was the most important thing in his life, and he cherished the time he spent with his wife, children and grandchildren.
He leaves behind his devoted wife, Mary; his children, John, Mary Hussey, Trish Welch, and Karen McClelland; daughter-in-law, Diane; sons-in-law, Gene Welch and Michael McClelland; and grandchildren, Neil and Sandra Krugh, Mara and Erin Hussey, Elizabeth and Mary Kate Welch, and Robert, Maggie, Thomas, Aidan, and soon-to-be Katie Rose McClelland; as well as countless friends. Bob's family extends their deepest appreciation to the doctors, nurses and home health aides who cared for him during the last years of his life, in particular Dr. Stephen Jurewicz, Dr. Eric Wurmser, Dr. Joseph Clemente and Dr. Paul Gennaro; the VNA of Central Jersey, including nurse Sharon and home health aides Michelle and Alison; and the staff of Riverview Medical Center, who made his last days peaceful.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20 at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Saturday, August 21 at St. Catharine's R.C. Church, 108 Middletown Road, Holmdel. Interment will follow at Holmdel Cemetery Mausoleum, Holmdel. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to either: The Marine Corps League, Corporal Philip A. Reynolds Detachment, P.O. Box 885, Freehold, NJ 07728; or to the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey, Attn: Development Office, 176 Riverside Ave., Red Bank, NJ 07701. To send your condolences to the family, please visit our website at www.thompsonmemorial.com.