Henry Jerome Kruska

KRUSKA, Henry
Kalamazoo Henry Jerome Kruska, aka "King Henry," made his transition on June 28, 2015. Born on the summer solstice, June 21, 1916, in Manistee, Michigan, to Sally and Edward Kruszka, Henry grew up in Cambridge Springs, PA, and spent his summers on his grandparents' farm in Manistee. He received three degrees from the University of Michigan: Bachelor of Science, Masters of Public Health, and Doctor of Dental Surgery. He met his future bride, Genevieve Foote, in a Public Health Statistics class at the University of Michigan, and they were married for almost 60 years. Henry practiced dentistry for 60 years, most of them in Kalamazoo, and loved every minute of it. Henry was charismatic, driven, witty, and generous. A true Gemini, he had a restless and inquisitive mind and was always on the move, planning the next trip, dinner, or outing. He traveled the world, loved to ride roller coasters, enjoyed investing in the stock market, collected Dixieland jazz albums, and was passionate about coffee and good food, whether from a diner or a 5-star restaurant. He loved planning mystery trips and surprises, dressing up as Santa on Christmas Day and passing out dozens of newspaper-wrapped gifts, organizing Easter basket hunts, and conducting Trivia games with cash on the line as prizes. He was an early proponent of recycling, running for exercise, and organic gardening, long before they became fads. His vegetable gardens were so large, he routinely set out extra produce in his dental office waiting room for patients to help themselves. A true nonconformist, he lived his life with independence and great gusto, taking the rest of us along for the ride. In his later years, he enjoyed wintering in Gulfport, Florida. Henry was predeceased by his wife, Genevieve, in 2004. He is survived by his daughters, Sally Jo McWhirter Richard Stauffer, St. Joseph, MI, and Cynthia J. Kruska Phyllis Nix, Lansing, MI; granddaughters Amy McWhirter Bolin Richard, St. Joseph, MI, and Stacey Gorski Steve, Schaumburg, IL; great-grandchildren Laina Olivia Gorski and Jonathan David Gorski, Schaumburg, IL; his sister Alice Miller, Meadville, PA; many nephews and a niece. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Genevieve, and his son-in-law, Jon McWhirter. Special thanks to Senior Services for extraordinary and loving home health care that allowed Henry to remain in his own home until he went to Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. There will be no memorial service. A private gathering to celebrate Henry's life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to the First Congregational Church of Kalamazoo, Rose Arbor Hospice Residence, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements were entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes.