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Leonard Alan Kraft

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Purdue University Valparaiso University

FUNERAL HOME

Moeller Funeral Home

104 Roosevelt Road

Valparaiso, Indiana

Leonard Kraft Obituary

LEONARD ALAN KRAFT VALPARAISO, IN Leonard Alan Kraft, 69, of Valparaiso passed away Thursday, August 4, 2016. He was born July 2, 1947 in Gary, IN to Leonard E. and Thelma (Sharpe) Kraft. Alan received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at Purdue University. His teaching career at Valparaiso University spanned 31 years where he was a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He also served as the ROTC Coordinator. Alan was a member of the John Purdue Club, Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portage and enjoyed applying his technical knowledge in various hobbies which included ham radio. On October 15, 1977 he married his beloved wife, Renee Turek, who survives along with their daughter, Alison (Daniel) Mills of Florida, his mother, Thelma Kraft of Portage, uncle, Keith J. (Janet M.) Sharpe of Valparaiso; aunts: Hilda (Pat) Tompkinson of Valparaiso, Marilyn Virostek of Chicago and numerous cousins, friends and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his father, and sister, Beverly VanCise. A visitation will be held Wednesday, August 10, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Rd, Valparaiso, IN. The funeral service will be held Thursday, August 11, 2016 11:00 a.m. at Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6322 Portage Ave., Portage, IN with entombment to follow at Graceland mausoleum.

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Published by The Times on Aug. 7, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Leonard Kraft

21 Entries

Gerald Sheble

December 21, 2016

As a classmate of Alan, I was always impressed with his kindness and dedication to getting it right. His impact went beyond the mere metrics of any university as a professional.

Steve Milner

December 18, 2016

I just found out about LAK when I tried to send him a Christmas email. I graduated with him in 1970. While we did not keep in close touch, his death will leave a hole in my heart. Sympathies to remaining family.

Margaret Southwell

December 17, 2016

I was ahead of Alan a couple years in school but we rode the same bus so we talked briefly each morning.He was a kind and positive person and a gentleman,even at that young age.He truly left his contributions for which his family must be very proud.God Bless.

Mike McFarlane

December 6, 2016

I just found out about Alan today. I'm so sorry and wish my best to all those who were influenced by his life. I knew him from Purdue where we were in the same dorm and became good friends. Lak, as everyone called him then, was always easy and fun to be with. I'll never forget the good times we had together. Thanks Lak!

Tim Dukeman

October 4, 2016

I am very sorry for the loss of Dr. Kraft. I first met and worked with him when he pushed to get an Army ROTC affiliation at Valparaiso University. I saw first hand of his hard work and dedication to the program, to the University, ROTC and this nation. Dr. Kraft's stamp will always be on each Valparaiso graduate from ROTC. Rest in Peace Dr. Kraft.

October 4, 2016

I am very sorry for the loss of Dr. Kraft. I worked with him to first set up Army ROTC at Valparaiso and I knew first hand of his commitment and dedication to the program, to the University, and to this nation. His stamp will always be on the ROTC contingent there at Valparaiso University.

August 28, 2016

I am so very sorry to hear of your loss, Renee and family. Alan was beloved by so many people and will be sadly missed. Anne Austensen

Vahona Walta

August 14, 2016

I was Alan's friend since JR. High School. I will miss my friend. He was a great friend and person. He loved his family. I am thankful for the time I had with him. The talks and time we shared. My heart goes out to his family. What a shock it was to hear he was gone to be with our Lord in heaven. He will be with you all again and hes still with you. Only in another way. He is missed! God bless you all!

Mohammad Alblooshi

August 12, 2016

He will be greatly missed. Dr Kraft was a fantastic professor and mentor.

Ted and Diane Krebs

August 9, 2016

Prayers are with Alan's wife and dear daughter Alison. He was such a wonderful colleague; gave so much to his students. He will be sorely missed.

Cindy Kirby

August 9, 2016

Dr. Kraft was an inspiration, a great mentor and a wonderful neighbor of the Shorewood community. My deepest sympathy to Renee and Alison. My prayers are with you.

Bob Markunas

August 9, 2016

Men like Alan Kraft come along very seldom. When you are lucky enough to be blessed with such a gift, you get selfish and want to hang on forever. Unfortunately for me and my wife Kathleen, God had bigger plans. He needed another Angel.

Alan was a "good man". What higher compliment can I bestow upon my dear Friend. I miss him terribly already. I miss his gentle but assured support when things looked dark and his enthusiastic reaction when good news was shared.

I miss his poor harmonizing skills (mine are just as bad) as we sang along with Beach Boy albums after a few drinks. Kathleen and Renee did a great job keeping up. I hope he's practicing with Carl and Dennis Wilson right now...God must me smiling at the din.

Al, you left your mark on our hearts but it's going to rake a while for them to heal. But heal we must to truly appreciate every gift you gave us.

...a good man...my Dear Friend... I miss you!

Sin Min Yap

August 9, 2016

Al Kraft was an awesome colleague. He generously helped a new and inexperience faculty in me. We jointly created a modern Unix workstation lab and I recall his aspiration of modernizing the College of Engineering. I am grateful that our path crossed Al. Rest in Peace!

Ryan Wendling

August 8, 2016

Dr. Kraft was the first person I ever met at Valpo and was a driving force behind my decision to attend Valpo for college. I thought it was awesome that he had helped build the power plant that my dad worked at and remembered teaching my uncle. I was lucky enough to have Dr. Kraft as my student advisor, mentor, and friend during my time at Valpo. He was a wonderful professor. I think one of my favorite memories was when my dad took both him and me on a tour of the LaSalle plant one summer, Dr. Kraft was so excited to once again see the inside. He will be greatly missed.

Anita (Mascher) Schultz

August 7, 2016

I was so sorry to read of Alan's passing. We worked in the same department at US Steel in the Power and Fuel Division superintendent's office in 1968. He was always so kind and polite (I remember he turned 21 at the time) and it's no surprise to see how successful he'd become, the consciences a worker that he was. In doing some internet surfing I gather he'd just lost his father? My mom also knew his mother....I'm sure this has to be hard on her. I do hope neither Alan nor his dad suffered and know they are once again joined in their heavenly home. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this sad time.

Alan and Renee at PHS class of 1965 50th reunion Oct 2015

Joyce Thomae Kirk

August 7, 2016

Al was a high school classmate. He is a happy, friendly, sweet,intelligent soul who will be greatly missed. Prayers for the family as they face the tough days ahead.

Jerry Heydt

August 7, 2016

I was 'Lenny's' PhD advisor at Purdue. He was a terrific supporter of Purdue. And he was the kindest person to work with. He loved working with students. We still use some of his laboratory experiment notes. And he had the greatest sense of humor. Renee -- I am so sorry about your loss. This must be very difficult for you. I can still remember the night before your wedding when Lenny and I came by your house in Chicago and sang 'Hail Purdue' -- it was 100% his idea! I can only remember the greatest and most pleasant thoughts about you both.
Jerry Heydt
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Vivian Rosd

August 7, 2016

We have lost another really great man. So gentle yet so strong and a very elegant guy.

Arlene Stach

August 7, 2016

Renee and Alison, I am so sorry for your loss. Alan's warmth with family was always evident, but you may not know that his welcoming personality convinced my friend's son to attend Valpo's Engineering program. He made such a great impression on that young man - and I'm sure Alan did that with everyone, colleagues and students alike. That was Alan! My thoughts are with you.

Barbara Lambert

August 7, 2016

Rest in Peace, Alan You were a Dear friend, classmate, and challenging person. My Deepest Sympathy to your family, friends and colleagues.

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