Robert J. Kraus

Robert J. Kraus, age 77, of Erie, passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026. Born in Erie on September 27, 1948, he was a son of the late Robert L. and Betty Fitzpatrick Kraus.

Bob was Veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served as crash/fire crew, and airplane flight deck crew, on the U.S.S. America aircraft carrier CVA-66. He served in the Vietnam War. Upon returning from Vietnam, he worked as an auto mechanic at places like Automatic Transmissions, Ferraro Ford, Porreco Ford, and lastly, retired from Bonnell's Collision.

Bobby had a love for cars and racing all his life. He raced dirt tracks in the Tri-state area, with many wins and track Championships. He had a large fan base. He raced for over 20 years; he raced Soapbox Derby as a kid and made homemade go-karts as a teen. He enjoyed slot racing with friends. After retiring from racing, he switched to building Hot Rods. He built them for himself, family, and friends. He then proceeded to build them at Bonnell's Rod Shop. He enjoyed car shows and classic cars. His love for racing came out again with his grandsons' racing go-karts.

Besides his parents, he was proceeded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Kay (Egelin) Kraus; and a sister Barbara (Kraus) Sitek.

He is survived by two daughters, Kim Alexander, husband Dale, and Shelly Christensen, husband Todd; grandchildren, Carson (Williams) Poindexter, Caden, Carter, and Casey Williams, and Savannah Christensen; sister Donna Helman, husband John and brother Thomas Kraus, wife Beverly, also several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call at Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1595 W 38th Street at Greengarden Blvd, on Wednesday from 3-7 p.m., and may attend a funeral service there on Thursday at 11 a.m.