March 10, 1934 - May 13, 2016
Robert Henry Kroeger was born March 10, 1934 in Myrtle Point, Oregon, the oldest child of Melvin Robert Kroeger and Verna Alma Knight. He graduated from Springfield Union High School a year early, and then attended the University of Oregon, while in his junior year, he was accepted to medical school. He graduated with an MD degree in 1958 from the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon. He moved to Stockton, California and married Delva Electa Hess in 1959. They moved to Seattle, then Portland, Oregon, and then to Spokane in 1962 where he worked as an internist at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center. During the Vietnam War he was drafted into the US Navy as Lt. Commander, and the family moved to Florida and then Bremerton, before returning to the Spokane VA Medical Center in 1969 He had a total of 39 years of service for the Veteran's Administration, and retired in 1999. He also worked for the US Naval Reserve in Spokane, and as a clinical lecturer for Washington State University. He was an avid University of Oregon football fan travelling to nearly all their home games during the 1970s and enjoyed their recent success. He loved travelling and camping throughout the western US, BC, Alberta, and especially the Oregon coast in his VW camper telling stories of growing up there during World War II. He was a member of the Studebaker Driver's Club and loved driving his Studebakers. He was preceded in death by his parents, younger brother Donald (and wife Ivadell) Kroeger. He is survived by Delva Kroeger, his wife of nearly 57 years, sister Sheryl (Wayne) Weller of Elgin, Oregon, daughter Lisa Kroeger of Cheney, Washington, sons Michael (Kate) of Poulsbo, Washington and Eric (Lori) Kroeger of Hawaii, grandchildren, Freya and Beorn Kroeger, of Poulsbo, and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held for him on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 11:30am at the Sunset Chapel, Fairmount Memorial Park, 5200 W Wellesley, with interment to follow. Many thanks to the wonderful staff and volunteers of Hospice of Spokane and Family First Senior Care for their care during his last months. In lieu of flowers, contributions could be made to the: Union Gospel Mission Inland Northwest (https://www.uniongospelmission.org/, 1224 E. Trent Ave. 99202) or KSPS Public Television,(http://www.ksps.org/home/, 3911 S. Regal St. 99223)
