John Dietrich Kroencke

He is survived by his sons Eric (Rebecca) and Kurt (Teresa), and his 4 grandchildren John, Sierra, Victoria, and Lisa. John was preceded in death by JoAnn, his wife of 60 years, and their son Marcus. A memorial service will be held at Sunset Hills Memorial Park Chapel, 24000 Waalew Road, Apple Valley, California, on October 25th, at 10:00 a.m.

In 1957 John and JoAnn with son Marcus arrived in Victorville with John starting a new teaching job at Victor Valley Senior High School. He taught business while JoAnn taught home economics. While a teacher, he began many entrepreneurial activities which included real estate investment and even a small restaurant chain.

In 1963 he left teaching and worked for Tatum Construction managing and developing hotels. He returned to education in 1965 as an instructor at Victor Valley College. A few years later John was lured back to a full-time business career and was working for D.K. Ludwig who made his fortune in shipping, but owned assets from mines to hotels around the world. The whole family moved to Grand Bahama Island where Ludwig owned the Xanadu and Kings Inn Hotels. From there John traveled around the world as he quickly promoted becoming Vice President of various companies.

After a whirlwind three years the Kroenckes returned to the High Desert where a position at Victor Valley College, 1971-1992, promised more time with the family. He would later become Dean of Business/Industry at the college.

John took on a number of roles in the community throughout his long life in the high desert. He was an active member of Rotary from 1971. He was also on various civic boards including water and airport boards. In 1975 he was the founding president of the Victor Valley College Foundation on whose board he served until 1989.