John V. Kratz

John V. Kratz, longtime North East, MD resident, formerly of West Chester, PA, died at home on August 10, 2007. Born April 16, 1922, he graduated from Episcopal Academy and Lafayette College. After serving in the army as an army medical officer on troopships in World War II he entered the printing industry in Philadelphia and founded John V. Kratz, Printer, the company he operated for 15 years. He was president of the Printing Industries of Philadelphia, Inc. trade association in 1960-1961 and a bell ringer for "Let Freedom Ring," the annual bell ringing ceremony at Independence Hall. After retiring from the printing industry John and his wife, Nancy, moved to North East, where he had summered as a boy, and where he and Nancy met in 1938. An avid lover of classical music, he served for several years as president of the North East Symphony Society. John loved the Chesapeake Bay, sailed its far reaches, and was active for years in the North East River Yacht Club where he served as Sail Fleet Captain. In later years his yen to travel was satisfied as he and Nancy traveled through most of the 50 states in their RV and later through Europe and Africa. Never one to sit still, John collected and restored antique cars, created what he deemed to be the "world's smallest museum" dedicated to auto travel of 1907, and was an accomplished model ship builder. Survivors include his beloved wife of 64 years, Nancy Peck Kratz; daughters Betsy Wendt and her husband Bruce, Barbara DePaul and her husband Kevin, Peggy Kratz and her husband Jim Young; son Michael Kratz and his wife Ilene; granddaughter Christy Keating and her husband, Jonas, and granddaughter Nicole Kratz. He was preceded in death by his son, Richard. His family is grateful for his teaching them the priority of play, the importance of curiosity, the value of anonymous giving, and the meaning of truly unconditional love. At his request, there will be no services. The family will be welcoming friends to share memories and celebrate John's life at their home on Saturday, August 18th from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers it is requested that donations be made to the Maxwell Hillegas Kratz 1899 and Richard Drake Kratz '69 Scholarship. Checks should be made out to Trustees of Princeton University, with notation of the scholarship's name, and sent to the attention of Helen Hardy, Princeton University Alumnae and Donor Records, P.O. Box 5357, Princeton, New Jersey 08543. For condolences, visit www.crouchfuneralhome.com.