Robert "Bob" Krause

Robert “Bob” Krause, age 86, passed away peacefully at his residence on Thursday, April 29, 2021.

Born on August 10, 1934, Bob was the son of the late Karl and Ottilie Krause. He attended Grant Elementary School and was a 1952 graduate of Bradford High School. In his youth, Bob spent time playing sandlot baseball, working in his Dad’s garden, and roaming the nearby woods with his brother and their dog. His interests in music and art were piqued by playing in the Washington Junior High orchestra and winning his first citywide art competition. Bob found fascination in studying how things electrical and mechanical worked, and enjoyed swimming, fishing, boating, and anything associated with water, which made him think of serving in the U.S. Navy.

Bob received his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin in 1957, after which he underwent flight training at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. Returning to Kenosha, he went to work for General Motors in missile guidance and opted to join the Dynamatic Division of Eaton. As he progressed from Junior Engineer to Chief Electrical Engineer at Dynamatic Corp., he designed and built a home for his family. He later found the time to develop his innate artistic ability, earning a B.A. degree in Art from UW Parkside in 1988 and winning numerous awards for his paintings. Bob was a recipient of the Mary D. Bradford Distinguished Alumni Award in 2009, and earned international recognition in his profession as an electrical engineer while simultaneously distinguishing himself in military service and in graphic arts.

Bob remained active in the Naval Reserve, holding five commands, including Commanding Officer of the Kenosha–Racine Naval Reserve Unit. His final years in the Navy were associated with Space and Naval Warfare in Washington where he held a high security clearance and responsible position until his required retirement after 30 years commissioned service. He retired from the Navy in 1987 with the rank of Captain (the equivalent of Colonel in the Army).

After retiring from Dynamatic in 1993, Bob’s reputation as a national leader in engineering was recognized by him being named U.S. Representative to the International Electrotechnical Commission, on which he served for 10 years. Despite the demands of his full-time career in engineering and his part-time career in the Navy, Bob was active in Scouts, served on the Harbor Commission, held offices in the Elks Club and Reserve Officers Association, and participated in the Moose lodge, Danish Brotherhood, Conservative Network, IEEE, and Great Lakes Bluejackets.

In 1958, Bob was united in marriage to Marlene Dainko, and the two were blessed with a son, Steven Edward.

He is survived by his loving wife, Marlene, of 62 years, and his brother, Eugene (Jane) Krause.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his son, Steven Edward, and his sister Carol (Thomas) Tabili.