Robert Stephen Kruger

Robert (Bob) Kruger (86) passed away peacefully on Aug 14, 2023, after months of ill health. He was at home surrounded by his family and dear friends. He enjoyed life to the fullest and enjoyed sharing his experiences and tips on life with anyone. He was a devout Catholic throughout his life. Bob was born in Staten Island, New York, on May 13, 1937. His family eventually settled in San Diego when he was eleven years old. Bob loved the ocean and spent as much time there as he could with his older brothers, Ted and Marty. He loved to body surf, camp out and even rowed a boat with some friends over to False Point. He never lost his love for the ocean. Bob worked hard all his life, where at age 9, he held a job at a florist shop folding corsage boxes. He spent his career with the city of San Diego starting out as a meter reader. As a project manager, he was responsible for a variety of projects including creating the first bike lanes throughout San Diego and the revitalization of Belmont Park’s roller coaster and the historic Plunge. After retiring, he was able to pursue his hobbies: reading, strolling on the beaches, going to the horse races and gaming casinos, attending Padres baseball games and visiting and traveling with the many friends he had. Bob loved life and gave back to it. His many friends loved his sense of humor. His ability to make up stories was ingenious. All you had to do was give him a word and he’d weave a story around it, employing some historical facts as well as his great imagination. Bob met his wife, Patti, at Perry’s Restaurant in Old Town San Diego in 1996, marrying in 2000. The couple spent many years in Palm Springs then moved back to San Diego in 2020. Bob is pre deceased by his parents, Theodore and Julia née Conroy Kruger, brothers, Theodore Kruger, Joseph Daly and loved as his own daughter, Edie (Bret) Smith. He’s survived by his wife, Patti, brothers, Martin Kruger and Peter Daly, children, Constance Stabile, Kathleen (Greg) Marino, granddaughters Elizabeth (Sohail) Hossini, Alexandra Stabile and also children he loved as his own, Kevin O’Connor, Tamara Brewer, Tiffani O’Connor and Dana Hankins. Services for Bob will be held at Holy Rosary Cemetery Chapel on September 8, 2023 at 12 noon at 4470 Hilltop Dr., San Diego, Ca, 92102.

Robert Stephen Kruger

May 13, 2023 - August 14, 2023