Senator Bob Krueger

Robert "Bob" Krueger, devoted family man, accomplished public servant, and prolific academic, made his transition on April 30, 2022, at the age of 86 in New Braunfels, Texas, in the same home in which he was reared. Born in New Braunfels on September 19, 1935 to the late Arlon and Faye Krueger of New Braunfels, he was the beloved younger brother of his sister Arlene Krueger Seales. He enjoyed horseback riding, swimming in the Guadalupe River, throwing a baseball with his father, playing trumpet, eating his mother's homemade ice cream, playing cards, and inheriting his father's affinity for cars. Invariably, Bob demonstrated qualities of integrity, kindness, selflessness, generosity, empathy, diplomacy, and courtesy. He was a humanitarian and advocate for human rights. A prominent diplomat and intellectual with expertise in sub-Saharan Africa and conflict resolution, Bob held government office as a U.S. Senator, Congressman, Ambassador, and Texas Railroad Commissioner. Many Texans will remember Bob for his morality and intense desire to serve his country; his respect for all political angles of an issue prevailed over partisan ideals and party lines. Having earned his B.A. at Southern Methodist University, M.A. at Duke University, B.Litt at the University of Nottingham, and M.Litt and D.Phil at the University of Oxford in English, Bob was a literary scholar and published author. Throughout his life, he held various roles in higher education, including Vice Provost and Dean of Arts and Sciences at Duke University, and teaching positions at the University of Texas, Rice University, Texas Tech University, Texas State University, and others. The Senator Bob Krueger Public Service Scholarship has been created in his honor. Contributions can be made through the New Braunfels Community Foundation. Bob would say his most important roles in life were as husband, father, and grandfather. He married Kathleen Tobin in 1983 and unconditionally loved and unfailingly supported his wife, three children, Mariana, Sarah, and Christian, and grandson, Brooks. His family and friends will fondly remember his love for keeping up with public affairs and current events, reading poetry and prose, listening to classical music, enjoying mint chocolate chip ice cream, sipping sherry, and most of all, appreciating the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country and beyond. Bob will be deeply missed, but his spirit will be "with [us] always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). A privately held service to lay Senator Krueger's remains to rest will take place at Texas State Cemetery in Austin at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Sen. Bob Krueger Public Service Scholarship Fund through the New Braunfels Community Foundation. https://nbcommunityfoundation.org/education/#kru (Link to donate can be found below.)