Obituary of Walter G. Kruppenbacher

KRUPPENBACHER, WALTER, 90, of Surprise, NY, passed away on August 9th. We celebrate the life, not mourn the passing, of a remarkable man – a true humanist -- intelligent, inquisitive, filled with knowledge, wit and humor – with a rare linguistic flair; fiercely moral, ethical, honest; simultaneously simple and complicated; as loving and giving as he could be difficult and demanding. Walter was a long-time dairy farmer, logger, construction worker, master carpenter and mechanic. He was an avid reader, nature lover, animal whisperer, and deeply devoted and constantly inquiring member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was meticulous and persistent in caring for his health and survived serious illness by virtue of such care. Born April 2, 1925, Walter moved from the South Bronx to Gayhead when he was 7, graduated from Cairo High School in 1944, and married Marie Fricke in 1963, the year of his father's death. He is predeceased by his brother Joseph Kruppenbacher and wife Marie. He is survived by long-time friends and caregivers Jonathan and Susan Weil; brother Charles (and wife Mary); 6 nephews and nieces; close boyhood friend George Knoblock; personal aides and friends Casey Oathout and Destiny Reed; many caring members of the Church of LDS; and 9 cats and dog Pushkin. In lieu of flowers, send contributions to Animalkind, 721 Warren St., Hudson, NY 12534. Services are Wednesday August 12th at 2 pm, at the Greenville Branch of the Church of LDS followed by burial at Greenville Cemetery. DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT. RAGE, RAGE, AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT.