Kenneth Charles Kruger

Passed away peacefully at home among family on the afternoon of March 2nd, 2014. He was 83. Ken was born August 19, 1930, in his childhood home in Santa Barbara to Thomas and Chleople Kruger. He had an older brother, Tom, nine years his senior. Ken attended Franklin Elementary, Santa Barbara Junior High, and Santa Barbara High School, where he excelled academically and socially. He was very involved in many aspects of SBHS; junior statesman, trumpet player in the band, manager of the tennis team, and outstanding senior of 1948. He attended the University of Southern California, obtaining a Degree in Architecture, in 1953, and was a proud member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Ken was married to Patricia Rasey on August 21, 1955. One of his biggest difficulties was when he lost his older brother, Tom, to a heart attack in 1957. After being employed at three different architectural firms in Southern California, Ken opened his own in Santa Barbara in 1960, occupying two different locations on upper State Street, finally settling on its present location at 30 West Arrellaga Street. Don Bensen and Don Ziemer joined the firm, and Kruger, Bensen and Ziemer (KBZ) was born. He designed his own home in 1961 on the lower Riviera, where it stands today, a city-designated historical landmark of mid-century modern architecture. He was a man of many talents, interests and passions: licensed pilot, photographer, expert tinkerer, lover of wine, food and song. Though, one of his most notable and infamous claims to fame was as a "tennis assassin." Rather than using strength and power, he vanquished his opponents with tenacity and guile. His devotion to community service was considerable: one time president and lifetime supporter of the Boys and Girls Club (earning a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010), Kiwanis Club, Board President of Transition House, and the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects, whose national Association named him fellow in 1983. He has also been very involved in the Unitarian Church/Society since 1958, and in 1986 was named Unitarian of the Year. Although Ken was born with a congenital disability that affected his arms and hands, he triumphed with his limitations and learned to make light of them with his indomitable perseverance and humor. Ken is survived by his wife of 58 years; Pat, sons; David (Toni) and Eric (Lyn), grandchildren; Eva Marie, Dashiell, Tallulah Mae, and Sawyer, nephews; Jamie (Terri) and Chris, brother in law Charles Rasey (Sharon), sister in law Mary Lee Rasey Taylor (Dale), five nieces and two nephews, seven great nieces and nephews. A memorial service is scheduled for April 5, 1:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Society, 1535 Santa Barbara St. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara and the scholarship fund of the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara.

Kenneth Charles Kruger

August 19, 1930 - March 3, 2014