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Bruce Kruger passes away

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:38 am
by elliott70
I am very sad to inform you that Bruce Kruger passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday Nov 2.

Bruce was very active with Minnesota Hockey, USAH and the junior gold
Metro Hockey League for years and years.

Many years ago he was very active with Duluth Youth hockey.

He will be missed for his service but more than anything for being a gentleman and a friend.

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2016 1:30 am
by greybeard58
Bruce was a man of integrity and a strong passion for the Jr Gold program. As Elliott stated he will be missed for his dedication but mostly I will miss him as a friend. Below is his obituary from the Tribune.

Bruce Charles Kruger
August 5, 1940 - November 2, 2016
Biography

Bruce Charles Kruger age 76, passed away unexpectedly at home in Plymouth, MN on November 2, 2016. Bruce loved his family and friends, the outdoors, travel, history, music, photography, and the sport of ice hockey. He grew up in Faribault, MN where he met his life-long sweetheart, Patricia Kruger. He then attended Harvard University and the University of Minnesota Law School. Bruce worked as an attorney in private practice for many years in both Duluth and Minneapolis, MN, and then went on to work as a Probate Referee for Hennepin County for nearly two decades.

Bruce’s passion was helping and connecting with people, and he fondly collected life-long friends. He enjoyed a good argument and had a dry sense of humor. He was fair, firm and always kind. Bruce’s passion next to his children and grandchildren was making the sport of ice hockey better, and he channeled this energy into volunteering for Minnesota’s Metro Hockey League and serving as Risk Manager for USA Hockey for many years.

On an ideal day, you might have found Bruce with his family or friends in the North Woods of Wisconsin at the cabin enjoying conversation, fishing, or boating.

Bruce is survived by life-long love and wife of 54 years, Patricia Kruger; in-laws Harold and Jane Lamberty; children Mark (Kary) Kruger; Kristin Kruger; Lee (Kim) Kruger; grandchildren Mary, James, Anne, Emily, Ali, Ty; and great-grandchild Ryder James. He was preceded in death by parents Roland and Elaine Kruger.

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2016 10:20 am
by Crusty
I didn't know Bruce personally but I have been involved with a Jr Gold program for the last 7 years and have met Bruce on several occasions at the state tourneys and the MHL coaches dinners at the end of the year. He was always willing to listen to our concerns and ideas for the Jr Gold program and always loved to talk about fishing which we both love. Bruce would always come into our locker room at the state tourneys and congratulate the boys for making it and a good handshake to the coaches. He will truly be missed