John Krebs, a California Congressman who fought to protect a vast and spectacular Sierra Nevada wilderness region that now bears his name, died November 10th of complications from a stroke. He was 87 and lived in Fresno since 1950. In addition to his two terms in the U.S. Congress from 1975-1979, Mr. Krebs was a civic and Democratic Party leader in Fresno, an attorney in private practice for over 30 years, an apprentice diamond cutter during his youth in Tel Aviv, and served in the U.S. Army.While in Congress, he was best known for his authorship and enactment of legislation incorporating the Mineral King Valley into Sequoia National Park, thwarting Disney developers who wanted to turn the wilderness area into a major ski resort. To recognize his accomplishment, in 2009, President Obama signed legislation establishing the John Krebs Wilderness Area, covering 40,000 acres within the Mineral King Valley.
John Krebs was born December 17, 1926, in Berlin. His parents fled Germany only a few months after Hitler came to power, and he was raised in Tel Aviv. In his teens, he embarked on a career as a diamond cutter and joined the Haganah, a Jewish underground organization opposing the British rule, while also preparing to attend college.
Mr. Krebs moved to the U.S. in 1946 to attend the University of California, Berkeley. He graduated in 1950 and became a U.S. citizen in 1952. Following his two years in the Army, he attended the University of California Hastings College of Law and passed the California Bar in 1957. For the next three decades, he practiced law with the Parichan law firm, specializing in civil defense litigation.
Politics beckoned, and Mr. Krebs became an activist and leader in Democratic politics, playing a key role in local and statewide campaigns. In March 1970, he was elected to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, a post he held until his election to Congress in November, 1974. He was the first foreign-born congressman from California. In a 1978 interview, Mr. Krebs said: "It's a tremendous credit to our system. Here I can come to a community as an immigrant, really not knowing a soul, and 27 years later, I am elected to Congress."
He returned to Fresno after his tenure in Congress, and practiced law until his retirement. Mr. Krebs served on numerous boards and commissions, and was foreman of the Fresno County Grand Jury for two years. He and his wife enjoyed traveling, and relished visiting their grandchildren during the past 23 years. During his life, Mr. Krebs' high values, strong work ethic and caring for others have been an inspiration for his family and friends. His loving guidance as a husband, father and grandfather will be forever cherished.
Mr. Krebs is survived by his wife of 58 years, Hanna Krebs; his son Daniel Krebs of San Anselmo, California, daughter-in-law Susan and grandsons Clay and Peter; his daughter Karen Krebs Wood of New Canaan, Connecticut, son-in-law John and grandchildren Elizabeth, Caroline and Jack; and his 90 year old brother, Shlomo Krebs of Tel Aviv, his sons and extended family.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 14, 2014 at 12:00 pm at Temple Beth Israel, 6622 N. Maroa Avenue, Fresno, California.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Temple Beth Israel, 6622 N. Maroa Avenue, Fresno, California 93704 or the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama 36104.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18