Richard Glen Krom

Richard (Dick) Glen Krom, 83, of Rochester, passed away on the morning of Monday, March 30, 2026, at Cascade Creek Memory Care. Richard was born May 13, 1942, in Rochester, MN to Donald and Helen (Bassett) Krom. He was a 1960 graduate of John Marshall High School and attended Rochester Junior College from 1961-1963 and his primary area of study was Engineering with a secondary focus in history and writing.

On May 29, 1962 in Byron, MN, Richard married Sharon Rose Bartel, who he always called "Sherry." Richard and Sharon met working at a local department store, where Richard was a Display Manager. He eventually worked as an architectural draftsman at Sears Roebuck until 1978. Richard had a deep love of military history that was solidified early on in his life when he met the pilot of a P-51 Mustang fighter plane and was allowed to sit in the cockpit. Richard loved to share history with others throughout his life.

He was the President of the Veterans and Emergency Services Museum located in the Hilton Hotel in Rochester, MN. He was also an honorary member of the Rochester Korean War Veterans, President of the Rochester Minnesota Civil War Roundtable, helped organize local hero events in Rochester and took great pride in co-chairing and starting a Living History Fair at the Olmsted County Historical Society, which was a Civil War themed event. Richard and his wife, Sharon, also published a 730 page book titled; The First MN... Second to None, spending 9 years tracking down and compiling 218 original letters and the surrounding history of his great-grandfather, Edward H. Bassett, who was a private in the Minnesota 1st Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Richard loved music and spent many years of his life playing guitar in jam sessions with family members. Richard played music for Sunday school and later served several terms as president and many other roles over 32 years at Holy Cross Lutheran Church congregation and hosted Bible studies at his home with Sharon. Richard was also passionate about preserving history and the legacy of veterans, giving presentations to groups of school children, local clubs, and military gatherings.

Richard and his wife Sharon owned a custom home building company from 1988-2010, K&K Builders, later called Homes of Integrity, and built many houses in the Rochester and surrounding areas. He was also a master woodcarver, Noted restorer of rare American Victorian Furniture and made his own original carvings. He enjoyed working on projects with his children and grandchildren, and never turned down a chance to tell a story to anyone who would listen.

Richard is survived by his children, Kathy (Ron) Kasten of Rochester, Jim Krom of Rochester; grandchildren Victoria (Ben) Tecken, Ian Krom; and great grandchildren, Tristan, Vesper, and River. Richard is also survived by his siblings, Betty (Bob) DeWitt, Roland (Jean), Krom, Joyce (Harvey) Allen, Linda (Jerry) Niemeyer, Robin (Bethany) Krom, Deb (Tim) Eickoff; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends.

Richard was preceded in death by the love of his life, Sharon; great-granddaughter Seraph; brother Ronald Krom and sister Katie Backus, and by his parents.

A service to celebrate Richard's life will be held at 11:00a.m. Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2703 9th Ave. NW, Rochester. Visitation will precede the funeral service at 10:00a.m. on Thursday, April 2, also at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Pastor Fran Green will be officiating with burial at Oakwood East Cemetery to follow a luncheon after the funeral service.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Krom family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.