Albert Krenz

It was a privilege to get to know Al. Elisabeth and I were RB grads living on the same street. As we sat together at our reunion, our husbands got to know each other. They had both worked for Robert Bosch Corporation. Watching the deep conversation between the two of them was something magical. Steve was so impacted by that night, being able to get to know Al, that it was like two old friends getting to see each other after a long time. No one wanted the night to end. Unfortunately for Steve, his mom's care absorbed his life and he never got to continue the conversation as Steve died in December of that year. That night at the reunion gave Steve such joy that I will never forget it. Al was amazing. What he did for Vets was so important. He will truly be missed. I can just see them together, on a bench talking, and smiling. Bless you Al.

Shared by sharon evans pikul on 2/5/2025 7:02 PM

Elly, Please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of Al. We are so sorry for your loss. I had met Al as a teenager through his close friendship with my father. They had met early on at a local gym and bonded with their common love of cars and racing. I remember spending a number of summer trips in the 70’s and 80’s at varying local racetracks such as Elkhart Lake and Blackhawk Farms, being there with Al as my father and later as my brother raced their Porsche 356 and 912. Al was a great person and dear friend to my family; he will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time.

Shared by lance lacross on 1/18/2025 5:22 PM

Al was an exemplary human being who brought his best, most enlightened self to every encounter and experience I personally had with him. In his presence, he beamed genuine and unconditional goodness, humanity, modesty, and curiosity. His joie-de-vivre, amicability, and congeniality knew no bounds—he had them on full throttle, always. His sage words of advice, which I quickly adopted into my modus operandi, breathe deeply and treat others and especially customer service staff with utmost kindness and compassion even in piques of frustration and anger—be surprised by what good things will happen. I knew Al as a travel, scuba and cultural buddy since 2006. We became acquainted as members of the Tritons Dive Club. We dove Lake Michigan and traveled on recreational dive trips to the Caribbean, Oceania, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Elly was present and a co-conspirator on many of these adventures. Our trip to Bali and South Sulawesi was one of my most rewarding and nostalgic travel experiences ever. I will not forget how he solved a local transport dilemma in Nusa Dua, Bali. The rental car agency strongly recommended that we not rent a vehicle given the horrific island traffic jams and lack of insurance and instead hire a private driver. He deftly engaged the local coordinator of our luxury dive operator and asked for suggestions. He set us up with a trusted, outstanding chauffeur with a new Lexus SUV and we were driven around the island to off-the-beaten-track locales with pampering, flexible service. My most endearing dive memory occurred at Banana Bommie, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. Twas night dive on a coral pinnacle in ripping currents. After discussing the risks of diving at night in current, we carefully cinched ourselves along an anchor line under the boat down and kicked hard down to the reef in complete darkness and on the leeward side of coral mount where the currents were mild. Soon after we started our tour, we gathered around a gigantic red snail and as exchanged hand and face signals signaling amazement. Just then, a medium-sized white-tipped reef shark swam up from the deep and darted right between us, its wake almost yanking my dive torch from my hands. We both let out huge gulps of air in shock and awe. We accompanied that shark and its siblings throughout the dive as they aggressively hunted triggerfish prey inside the hard corals. We kept in tight formation in the stiff current, consulting one another’s air supply every five minutes and never swimming out of eyesight. Our exit to the surface was equally thrilling and deliberate. We used our compasses to determine the probable location of the yacht and then, scanning the reef for large, toothy pelagics, we floated in single file in the torrid tail current, pointed our torches in circular motions into plankton-rich turbid water column. After a few spooky minutes in complete darkness—it felt analogous to a jet aircraft landing at night in blizzard in light turbulence—our torches locked on to the bow of boat. We kicked hard towards the anchor line on onto to safety and an enduring memory. Al always prioritized safety, partnership, and demonstrated deep respect for mother nature’s aquatic wonders. He is a paragon for responsible diving! We shared a subscription to the Chicago Symphony and relished countless extraordinary performances with the orchestra’s illustrious maestros, chorus and soloists and pared these with scrumptious dining experiences beforehand. We relished I mourn his departure with pensive, teary-eyes and shuddering exhalations. He was a treasured friend and exemplary human being without equal. I know that he is scouting out sites for new extraordinary interactions with non-humanoid sentient beings in the heavenly realms as I pen this eulogy. I express my deepest condolences and grieve deeply with Elly, family and friends.

Shared by daniel balsam on 1/12/2025 3:59 AM

So sad to hear of Al’s passing. I worked with Al on numerous ADS shows over the 27 years I was with Bosch and other BSC event. Will miss him greatly.

Shared by scott jameson on 1/9/2025 12:47 AM

Al hired me years ago. Our freind ship grew over the years. Work, racing, scuba diving were common interests. A shame he is gone now, I still have a few tidbits to discuss. Rest easy my freind.

Shared by martin zimmerman on 1/7/2025 1:11 PM

Ellie, please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss of Albert As a neighbor of his in Countryside Meadows, Albert was always there to help out and answer any neighborhood questions or concerns. Albert was a great caring person.

Shared by joann murphy on 1/5/2025 10:26 PM

Elly, My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time! Al was our retiree pipeline and holiday party coordinator. He will be greatly missed. Those of us who have worked years with Al have much respect for such a great man. Sincerely, Robin

Shared by robin o’connor on 1/4/2025 3:20 PM

I was so sorry to hear about AL's passing! I appreciated how well he handled our Retirement Christmas Luncheon's for so many years! I will be praying for God's comfort and peace to you!

Shared by barbara morgan on 1/4/2025 3:36 AM

I am so sorry to hear of Al's passing. He was a gentleman and always did a great job of organizing the Bosch retiree luncheons/events. My condolences to your family

Shared by jeff hoffman on 1/4/2025 3:33 AM

Al was a truly dedicated individual who played a key role in the Robert Coulter Post 1941. His commitment to both the American Legion and the principles of Americanism and Patriotism has made a lasting impact on his fellow Legionnaires and Community. Al help create a strong foundation for organizations like the American Legion, providing leadership and guidance that shape their mission and work. Remembering Al for his service to the Legion, the Country, and the Community is a wonderful way to honor his contributions.

Shared by william kiddon on 1/3/2025 2:05 PM

Visiting me in Colorado

Shared by elisabeth krenz on 1/3/2025 1:07 AM

Al was one of the first guys I met when I joined the La Grange American Legion Post. From the beginning he was a mentor and a good friend. I was his Vice Commander and he taught me "the ropes". When I needed advice or asked Al for physical help with building projects -- he was always there. Al redefined the job of Adjutant and set the standard for future Adjutants. Al was well organized and disciplined in the manner with which he carried out his responsibilies as a Vice Commander, Commander and Adutant. He redesigned the method by which we processed membership, created SOPs for Legion activities/events. We will miss you my friend. You can count on us to support Elly during this difficult time.

Shared by bill manders on 1/2/2025 10:21 PM

Al was one of the first people I met When I started working at Bosch in 1978. We would travel together on occasion and always had a good time. He introduced me to sushi so I returned the favor by introducing him to Irish coffee at the Buena Vista in San Francisco. He highly approved of Irish coffee. He was a good man and it was an honor to know him. Jim Burnett.

Shared by jim burnett on 1/2/2025 8:10 PM

It is with great sadness that I learned of Al’s passing. We worked closely together at Robert Bosch for many years. My condolences to you, family and friends as I know he will be greatly missed.

Shared by john roberson on 1/2/2025 6:28 PM

My condolences to your famly Al was such a kind, caring, humble man. He will be missed by many.

Shared by june montgomery on 1/2/2025 2:53 PM

My sympathies, I especially enjoyed Al's company at the Robert Bosch retiree luncheons and Christmas parties.

Shared by michael kozlowski on 1/2/2025 2:22 AM

I worked with Al for many years at Bosch and had many great times, not just during “working” hours. Great memories. Thoughts and prayers to the family.

Shared by andy anders on 1/1/2025 11:17 PM

Dear Elly, I am shocked and saddened to learn of Al's passing. I am so, so sorry for your loss. Al was a great classmate in high school. He was a very funny teenager and constantly had me cracking up with his observations and teacher impersonations. After high school, we often rode the El together downtown where we both worked. Of course, he kept me in stitches for the entire trip. Although we only got together once a year for Lindblom reunions, his death leaves a hole in my life and he will be sorely missed.

Shared by tom viskocil on 1/1/2025 6:37 PM

RiP, old pal. Keep your feet & knees together.

Shared by thomas nelson on 1/1/2025 2:53 PM

My deepest sympathies to Al's family on his passing. I had the distinct honor and privilege of serving with him at 12th Group. May God hold him in his hands.

Shared by hubert pries on 1/1/2025 4:12 AM

Dear Elly, I hope this message finds you surrounded by love and support during this incredibly difficult time. Please accept our sincerest condolences on the passing of Al. The news came as a complete surprise, and we are deeply saddened by his passing. I first met Al in 1975, and as his manager for quite a few years, I always held him in the highest regard. Al was a loyal companion, wholly dedicated to his work and to Bosch. His commitment and passion were evident in everything he did, and it was a privilege to work alongside him. Even after both of our retirements, Al and I kept in touch frequently, sharing our mutual love for cars, racing, and the latest technical automotive innovations. I will dearly miss those conversations and the joy they brought to my life. It was only later in life that we discovered our shared connection to Gelsenkirchen, Germany—a coal mining city where both Al's family and my own father and grandfather lived for part of their lives. This connection deepened our friendship, and I will miss him as a very close and personal friend. Please know that our thoughts are with you and your family during this time of mourning. Al's memory will forever remain in our hearts.

Shared by ben bendixen on 1/1/2025 3:52 AM

Ellie, Jan and I are so very sorry for the passing of your beloved husband and my dear friend Al. Over the 58 years that I have know him we shared many scuba dive trips and other adventures. He will me missed.

Shared by david o'malley on 1/1/2025 2:40 AM

The membership of Chapter XXXVII is heartbroken to hear of the passing our Past President Albert Krenz. Al selflessly served our Chapter and the Special Forces Association for many years and we owe him a debt of gratitude which will be difficult to repay. Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Albert. We wish Al Calm Winds and a Soft Landing on his Final Drop! De Oppresso Liber

Shared by special forces association chapter xxxvii on 12/31/2024 11:11 PM