OBITUARY

Edward J. Kruser

6 September, 1949 – 17 February, 2021

Edward Kruser, 71, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.

Ed was born on September 6, 1949 on Staten Island, NY to Roy and Mary Kruser. In 1969, he moved with his family to Franklin, NY where he earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the State University College at Oneonta.

Ed was married to the love of his life, Jeanne (Stannard) Kruser, for 45 years and together they raised two sons, Garrett and Derrick, of whom they are immensely proud. Ed was a devoted husband, father and teacher.

Ed taught 7th grade history at Delaware Academy for 32 years, where he founded and led the Yorker Club, which generated a large following. He loved history and teaching, always doing everything he could to make it fun for his students. It filled him with joy when former students would tell him how much they enjoyed his class.

In recent years, Ed continued to share his passion for history by speaking to many community organizations. Ed was a man of faith and gave back to his community through many church sponsored events.

Ed also loved the outdoors and almost every weekend he could be found hunting with his father and his two sons.

Ed is preceded in death by his father and mother.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne, sons Garrett (Ela) and Derrick (Calli), sister Betty (Allen) Barmen, brother Roy (Judy) Kruser, brother-in-law Jeff (Virginia) Stannard and Chuck (Laura) Stannard, and many nieces and nephews. Ed was a devout Methodist, and in lieu of flowers the family is requesting any donations be sent to the Franklin United Methodist Church, PO Box 115, Franklin NY, 13775.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.

To leave a condolence for the family online, please visit www.bennettfh.com.

Arrangements are by the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, Franklin.

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Edward J. Kruser

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Paul Todd Bachler

25 February 2021

Dear Mrs. Kruser and Family,

Mr. Kruser was one of the truly great teachers I have known. He could be very funny; I once fell out of my chair laughing at one of monologues; but for all that, we always had great respect for him. I know of absolutely no one who ever spoke to him or of him with disrespect. He was just that kind of a teacher and that kind of a man.

Mr. Kruser was an exemplary teacher. I recall especially a unit that he taught on culture. It was then that I first learned that my perception of reality is subjectively constructed. He taught this by using an exercise in which he read a description of a scene in upstate New York before Europeans arrived. He asked the students in the class to individually sketch a picture of the scene as he read. After he finished, he showed us a picture of the actual scene, which differed considerably from what each of us had drawn. He then went on to explain to us that our culture affects our perception of the world in powerful ways. It is a lesson that has remained with me throughout my life. I will always admire how he was able to make such a difficult concept accessible to a seventh grader. That is but one example of his truly remarkable style.

His lessons remained with me through the years, through high school, college and graduate school. When I completed my doctoral dissertation, 31 years after taking Mr. Kruser’s seventh grade class, I included his name in acknowledgements section, writing “Mr. Edward Kruser taught me to learn from History”.

I always hoped that I would see him again. He was one of the teachers whom I wished I had had a chance to thank personally for what he had done for me.

Reade Bailey

24 February 2021

Mr. Kruser had a positive impact on thousands of students during his years teaching history at Delaware Academy. I had him for 7th-grade New York State history circa 1975, and he was one of my favorite teachers. He had a way of bringing history to life and capturing the attention of easily bored teenagers. I still remember some of his jokes ("That's all Benny" and "Iss stat an island?" when describing how Albany and Staten Island were named) and how excited he was about New York State history. My oldest son is currently in college studying to be a middle school/high school social studies teacher. I only hope he can inspire and influence his future students as much as Mr. Kruser did. My thoughts are with the friends and family of Mr. Kruser. Reade Bailey, Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Bonnie Havens

23 February 2021

Dear Jeanne and Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Ed will be greatly missed. I always enjoyed running into both of you and chatting about camping and our families. Love, Bonnie and Steve Havens

Patty Green Monaghan

22 February 2021

My sincere condolences. Mr. Kruser was by far my favorite teacher. He was one of those rare educators that taught with passion. History came alive in his class. It has been many, many years since I sat in Mr. Kruser's class but his impact has left a lifelong mark. Thank you to his family for sharing such a wonderful human being with the students of Delaware Academy! His legacy lives on in all of us.

Ernie Davis

22 February 2021

So sorry for your loss. Mr. Kruser taught me 7th grade Social Studies. He was also my favorite patron at BJ's Wholesale Club. Just last year he seemed busy with home improvements and quite active and healthy. We even talked about how 2020 was a great year for camping. He will be missed as a teacher and friend.

Tom and Nancy Creveling

22 February 2021

Jeanne, Garrett, Derrick and family:
We send our love and prayers to each of you. We enjoyed talking to Ed when we saw him walking at the Foxcare Center while Jeanne was taking her fitness classes. We also enjoyed seeing him while we were shopping. It was always a pleasure to talk with him! He was always so proud to talk about his wonderful wife and sons!
Sincerely, Thomas and Nancy Creveling

Janice Pantale

22 February 2021

Dear Jeanne & family, so sad to hear of Ed’s passing. He certainly will be missed. It was always a pleasure to chat with him. May he rest in peace. Joe & Janice Pantale & family

Jennifer Wentland

21 February 2021

Mr. Kruser was an inspiring, passionate, exciting teacher. I still remember sitting in his classroom twenty-five+ years ago. He made history come alive! Many blessings and comfort to his family.

Dana Oakes-Sand

21 February 2021

I had Mr. Kruser in 7th grade, and I still remember him and his wonderful teaching and belief in our ability to achieve. 30 years hasn’t dimmed his impact. A great teacher truly changes the world- we were all made better for having known him. I hope the family find peace in knowing is legacy lives on in all of his students.

Nicole Mathuin

21 February 2021

My sincerest condolences to Mr. Kruser's family. Even over 20 years after having been his student, his infectious energy and passion for teaching history are writ large in my memory.

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