February 03, 2016

February 3, 2016
i just recently learned Mr. Kruis had passed.  I send my condolences to his family and friends
Mr. Kruis was my teacher in Civics.  I loved his class especially learning about our government.  Even though I attended Medical Secretarial School in MD after high school graduation, I ended up living in Washington, D.C. most of my life.  I worked for the Federal Reserve Board for over 21 years, the last nine years working in Chairman Alan Greenspan’s office.  Mr. Kruis made a very positive influence on my life.
May he rest in peace.
Stephanie Lowell, Class of 1966.

December 16, 2015

To the Kruis family- Please accept my condolences on Gene’s passing.  I spent quite a bit if time visiting with Gene in the AD office, just shooting the breeze, and talking about the ‘challenges’ of coaching.  I remember well one piece of advice he gave me.  He said, ” remember, Skip, we’re with you, Win or Tie”.  Haha.  That was Gene! He was absolutely a MT legend, beyond all others!
Skip Walters
Head Baseball Coach 79-87
Golf Coach 83-2013

December 16, 2015

Paul and Jim,
We are sorry that we cannot attend the funeral, too many old old-age problems.  But we have many fond memories of your mom and dad.
Sincerely,
Ben and Marian Warfel

December 16, 2015

My grandfather taught our family a child starts learning respect 90 years before they are born.  Gene Kruis truly embodies that continuation through generations.  Our families go back many years in the South Altoona neighborhood.  I knew his parents, along with Gene and his brother, Paul.  Gene has always been a good and decent man.  His strength of character and integrity are far superior than expected.  He has passed his qualities on to Paul and Jim, and their families.  Likewise, his leadership has touched students and athletes in a positive way.
I am so disappointed I cannot attend the Thursday, December 17, 2015 funeral mass.  My condolences to Paul, Jim, and their families from the Labriola family. 
                                                                 Patrick J. Labriola

December 15, 2015

As an alumni of Manheim Township Gene will be always in our hearts..deepest sympathies to the family   Pa Riley Kucharski

December 15, 2015

My condolence to the Kruis family. Thanks for all the memories from the best teacher, gentleman, father and fine friend who knew the game of life.  Sleep tight.  God bless.
Mickey Falcone

December 15, 2015

Dear Jim and family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your father. It is difficult any time of the year, but losing him during the holiday season is especially hard. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God give you strength.
Sincerely,
Deb Linton

December 15, 2015

I extend my deepest sympathy to your family. Coach had a big influence in my life. I saw him at Stauffers and Costco not to long ago and  had a nice conversation with him. He made a difference in so many lives. Jim Streaker (Class of 1963)

December 15, 2015

Dear Jim and Paul,    the Farenwald family sends its love and prayers for you all at this time.
We have many happy memories of Gene and Stella, and football games.  So glad to remember
that your dad was your assistant at Garden Spot, Jim. –  what a way to retire !
Now he and Stella will be together,    Much love,   from Ted, Betty, Drew, Rad, Gregg

December 15, 2015

Mr. Kruis touched so many young lives whether athlete or fan. He was a role model for many and his memory lives on in each one of us who had the privilege to know him.
Deepest sympathy and blessings to your family. 
Cathy Hill Ketterman ’69

December 14, 2015

Condolences to the family.  I am 70 years old & remember Mr. Kruis as my (I think “civics”) teacher many years ago at Manheim Twp. H.S.  He was a great teacher, & a really nice man, & as sorry as I am for the family’s loss, I’m glad to see he had a good, long life.  I am sure you will all miss him.  Just to let you know he left a good impression on , I’m sure, many of his students’ lives.  Jean (Groff) Miller:  MTHS Class of 1963.
 

December 14, 2015

Dear Jim, Dawn, Conner, and Trevor,
What a great man to have as your Father and Pap. We know how much his love and support meant to all of you. He will be greatly missed. I’m sure Stella is happy to be reunited with her love. 
Our deepest sympathy,
The Massar Family

December 14, 2015

To Mr. Kruis’ family,
 I am very sorry for the loss of Mr. Kruis. He was my Driver’s Ed teacher at MTHS and was so patient in teaching me to drive. I have fond memories of him and he was always well liked and respected. May he rest in peace and prayers for healing and comfort to all of you in your time of sadness. 
 
Blessings,
Missy Snoke Landis 
MTHS class of 96

December 14, 2015

Dear Paul and Jimmy,
My deepest sympathies to you and your families for the passing of your Dad. The shock of hearing the news rivaled how devastating it was to hear of your Mom passing – they were a great couple – a pillar of the community. Your Dad, however, was to me part Don Shula, Vince Lombardi and Joe Paterno; classy, smart, old school tough and yet a strong positive influence on young men. I can barely remember a time when “Mr. Kruis” was not a part of my upbringing. I cannot impress upon you strongly enough that I owe a great deal of my life’s course to your Dad. He coached me in football, taught me how to drive in driver’s ed and along the way imparted words of wisdom that set me on the right path. He gave me the skills needed to go to the Air Force Academy which led to so many amazing opportunities. Without his guidance I have no idea where my life would have taken me but it most certainly wouldn’t have been as successful or interesting.
As a freshman at the Academy they had me fill out a questionnaire to flesh out my bio in the football program. I listed my high school football coach as “Eugene Kruis” to the dismay of your Dad “Eugene?” he said when I saw him later. It makes me laugh, I had an immense respect for your Dad  – calling him “Gene” would have been like hailing God with a “hey Bud.”
Your Dad is the George Washington on my Mount Rushmore his influence is tightly intertwined with the very few great men in my life whose example I strive to live up to. Thank you for sharing him with us when he could have easily have been sitting in the stands watching Jimmy run wild at William and Mary. I will always remember Coach and Mrs. Kruis with admiration, respect and deep gratitude.  Steve Kelly (MTHS ’81)

December 14, 2015

All those great teams — thanks for making us proud.  God bless you for your life of service in sports.
 
Kip Krady, attended MTHS 1975-77

December 14, 2015

Blessings to the family at this difficult time.  Coach Kruis played a large roll in my life through my high school years.  Somehow he saw some potential in me and allowed me to make the Township football team.  I will never forget his encouragement and friendly smile on the field and in the classroom.  He knew how to bring out the best in people and I am eternally greatful.  Bob Neff

December 14, 2015

Jim, my sympathies for the passing of your father. Prayers to you and your family.
Priscilla Fias

December 14, 2015

We send our deepest sympathy to your family and will keep you in our prayers,
Jane Pelland (Class ’66; widow of Paul, ’66), Michael (Class of ’95), and Andrew (Class of ’96) 

December 14, 2015

As fortune would have it, I placed a phone call to “Coach” a couple of months ago, just “on a whim”.  He answered right away, sounded good and best of all remembered my playing football for him back in the mid 1960’s.  He even remembered a blocking practice where I “knocked his legs” from under him and we landed in a heap.  Coach was also one of my teachers.  I told him about a life’s lesson I learned from him in his classroom that stayed with me the rest of my life.  We had more good conversation and the call ended with Coach telling me that “I made his day”!  I am so glad I made that phone call.
Rest in peace, my old mentor, coach and friend,
Bob Tipton (class of ’67)

December 14, 2015

Gene made a Big difference in every young person he can across. Will be missed but never forgotten. Thank you!  Beth Aument Suffield MT Swimmer and Softball Class of ’79.

December 14, 2015

Paul and Jim,
My deepest sympathy to you all on the loss of your father. Your dad was such a positive influence on our crowd growing up and to me he was always larger than life. His athletic accomplishments are well documented, but his greatest legacy will be what he did as a father, raising two men anyone would be proud to call their sons. You are doing the same with your families and so his legacy as a wonderful father continues. He was the best and I admired him in so many ways.
With deepest sympathy,
Bill Kushubar

December 14, 2015

A truly great man and such a positive influence on so many through his teaching, coaching, and the quality of the men he raised in Paul and Jim Kruis.