Walter Kraus

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Walter Kraus

Walter Kraus died September 1, 2006 at his home after a brief illness. Walter (Bill) was born on May 22, 1925 in New York City. He was the only son of Nathan and Anna Kraus, immigrants who passed through Ellis Island, and grew up with his three sisters, Lillian, Flora and Estelle in Brooklyn, NY. After he graduated from high school in 1943, Bill wanted to join the war effort and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Nearly two years of training later, he became an officer and navigator in a B-29 'flying fortress.' Based on the island of Tinian in the Mariana Straits, he and his crew flew 20 dangerous missions over Japan in the spring and summer of 1945 in the US' effort to win the war in the Pacific. It was on May 22, 1945, his 20th birthday, that Bill and his crew survived a fierce anti-aircraft barrage over Tokyo, barely navigating their plane back to their base. He often spoke afterwards of having a blessed crew that long night and that he enjoyed the rest of his life as a "dessert." He was fortunate to have 61 extra years of that dessert. After the end of the war, Bill took advantage of the G.I. Bill and attended UCLA, graduating with a degree in English and a teaching credential. His first job was in Madera, CA where he met his wife Barbara Albaugh, also a first year teacher. They married in 1952 and the following year moved to San Jose where they raised their four children and where Bill became a teacher at San Jose High School. In 1965 he became the Supervisor of Secondary English Instruction for the San Jose Unified School District and served on many committees and organizations that aided education in his district. His work helped thousands of students and he was recognized by many former students and/or teachers everywhere he went. No restaurant, vacation or theater experience was complete without someone recognizing Mr. Kraus and thanking him for being such a passionate teacher. He was an educator for over 30 years and after he and Barbara retired, they moved to Pacific Grove. Throughout life Bill loved literature, history and especially poetry. He carried favorite poems in his pockets, handing them out to friends and family alike. His favorite, which he read on his 80th birthday, was by Robert Frost.

Crossing to Safety

I could give all to time except What I myself have held-- But why declare the things Forbidden that While custom slept I have Crossed to safety with? For I am there and what I Would not part with, I have kept.

Bill took up golf with the same passion he had shown for education, and claimed that he got to play on the most beautiful course in the world, Pacific Grove's Municipal Golf Links. Bill served on the Board of Education in Pacific Grove for six years, as well as serving as a substitute teacher and mentor for students in the district. He and Barbara traveled frequently to New York to enjoy the shows of Broadway and stay connected with his family and friends. He and Barbara re-connected with his flight crew from the war and enjoyed reunions with his buddies and their wives. They were regulars at the Ashland Oregon Shakespeare festivals, but they also looked for new and exciting adventures like visiting Alaska on a small cruise boat, taking a Caribbean cruise with childhood friends, seeing Europe, traveling to Japan to meet new in-laws, visiting Israel, and riding a train across the country. Bill loved spending time with lots of family and friends on birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs and holidays. These were joyous celebrations because of his wit, energy, charm, and humor. No one was a stranger for long in his presence. Bill took great pride in his family and leaves his sister Flora Greenhoot Frenzel (Hal), wife Barbara of 54 years, his sons David Kraus (Debbie), William Kraus (Chise), daughter Susan Freiberg (Ken) and five grandchildren: David Kraus (Catherine), Michael Kraus, Daniel Freiberg, Zachary Freiberg and Laura Freiberg. He also leaves nine nieces and nephews and their families to whom he was their beloved Uncle Bill. He was preceded in death by his son Daniel Warren Kraus in 1977.

Cancer is so limited. It cannot corrode faith, It cannot shatter hope, It cannot kill friendships, It cannot cripple love, It cannot destroy peace, It cannot silence courage, It cannot suppress memories And it cannot conquer the spirit.

Graveside Service will be held Sunday, September 3, 11:00 a.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery, San Jose, CA.A Memorial Service is scheduled for Thursday, September 7, 2:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Israel, 5716 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. Call Paul's Mortuary, 831-375-4191 for details.