Krause-Cronk family honored by NJC

Five brothers honored with 2011 Pride in Association Award
By Barbara Baker

***NJC Press Release***

During the 68th annual commencement exercises held at Northeastern Junior College (NJC) on Friday, May 13th, the college’s alumni association honored the Krause-Cronk Family with the 2011 Pride in Association Award. Five brothers were on hand to accept the award before a packed arena and were met with a standing ovation. In 2002, the NJC Alumni Association established this award to be bestowed upon a family or individual who has provided support, dedication and loyalty to the college over the years.

NJC Alumni Association President Randy Stahley introduced the men, giving a brief background on each one and telling of their remarkable life journeys which began following time at the college. Growing up in a blended family, the five boys heard often about the hard times in the 20’s when their mother, Doris Krause Cronk attended a rural school in the sand hills of Nebraska. She got to school sometimes by walking, driving a team of horses and a wagon when it was available or riding horseback. She was fortunate to obtain an eighth grade education, given her family’s economic circumstances and her father’s mind set regarding girls “getting educated.” So for her own boys years later, the expectation of a high school education was never questioned. There was hope for them to obtain college degrees. At her insistence, the oldest ventured 35 miles south of his home in Peetz to attend NJC and it set a trend which four younger brothers would follow.

Keith Krause graduated from Peetz High School in 1952 as class valedictorian. He enrolled at Northeastern Junior College during the 1953-54 year and played football, basketball, and baseball, all coached by Roy Edwards. He also wrestled and was on the track team. A five sport letterman, he was also inducted into Phi Theta Kappa and worked part time during the year. The following year he enrolled at Colorado School of Mines and played baseball and football. Keith eventually applied and was selected for the United States Air Force Aviation Cadet Officer Training Program. This program eventually led to flight schools and a 26 year career in the United States Air Force as a jet pilot, instructor pilot, and various other flight related assignments. He retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1983, having earned numerous ribbons and commendations while serving his country around the world, including Viet Nam. Keith was able to continue his education during the time in the USAF, earning his undergraduate degree at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and his Masters Degree from Auburn University. Following retirement from the USAF, Keith, his wife Mary, and their two children located to Austin, Texas where he was employed by the State of Texas for 10 additional years.

Don Krause graduated from Peetz High School in 1953 and came to NJC to play football for Coach Roy Edwards. However, due to appendicitis surgery and zero finances he worked the rest of the year. In the Fall of 1954 he continued his studies, played football, basketball, baseball, and worked part time. He also participated in wrestling and track. Don played basketball again in 1955, until a broken jaw suffered in an auto accident ended his season prematurely. He graduated from Northeastern Junior College in 1956 and obtained one of the first teaching certificates in a new program offered that year based on completing two years of college. He spent the next three years teaching and coaching elementary school in Imperial, Nebraska. Don attended the University of Northern Colorado from 1959 to 1961. He played football in 1959. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1961. He spent the following year teaching and coaching in Huntley, Wyoming. From 1962-65, he taught and coached football, basketball, and wrestling in Arizona. During this time he attended night and summer classes at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. He was awarded the Master’s Degree in 1964.In 1965 he left the education field and began a new career with A.O. Smith Harvestore Products Inc. lasting until he retired in 1988. During this time, he held various titles--field engineer, product specialist, area sales manager, southern and then western corporate regional manager. He also established an independent Harvestore dealership in Missouri which became a Top-10 performer. Following his A.O. Smith era, his entrepreneurial skills led him to a national sales manager position with a financial corporation and then to a regional marketing director position. In 1995, he started his own corporation, dba Road Boss Grader, manufacturing and marketing a pull type grading implement. He eventually did business in all 50 states and 14 foreign countries. He sold the business in 2010. Don and his wife, Ann, reside in Krum, Texas, north of Dallas.

Phil Cronk graduated from high school in Sidney, Nebraska in 1961. He attended NJC from 1962 to 1964. He played basketball for Coach Roy Edwards one year, then transferred to Chadron State College to play there and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1966. Phil taught school in Potter, Nebraska for one year and also coached basketball. His first year coaching results were impressive as his team was state runner-up. He claims he used the NJC basketball philosophies learned from Coach Edwards. Phil joined the Navy in 1968 and became an aviator. His instructor pilots discovered that he had an “inherent talent” for flying helicopters and this became his primary job duty assignment. During his time serving in Viet Nam, he flew over 700 missions for which he was awarded 21 Air Medals and numerous other decorations. He retired as a Lt. Commander in 1988 after 20 years of service, which included both shore and seagoing assignments. He lives in Arvada, Colorado where he is employed as a “Fleet Technical Instructor” at the United Airlines Training Center.

Jerry Cronk graduated from high school in Sidney, Nebraska in 1964. He enrolled at NJC and played basketball. The team went to the national tournament. After the first year, he transferred to Kearney State College and received bachelor’s degree in 1968.That fall he started teaching at Bellevue High School in Bellevue, Nebraska. He spent his entire 33 year career in the system. Jerry taught social studies and physical education for six years. During that time, he earned the master’s degree from Kearney State College. He served as counselor for six years and became an administrator for the next 21 years. He was assistant principal for 17 years along with being athletic director for eight years and budget director for nine years. He retired in 2001. He and his wife, Cheryl, who also taught in the Bellevue school system for her entire career still make their home in Bellevue.

Ron Cronk graduated from high school in Sidney, Nebraska in 1960. He served four years in the United States Air Force prior to enrolling at Northeastern Junior College in 1966. He was the last of the five brothers to attend NJC. Ron was an outstanding basketball player under Coach Roy Edwards. He started the majority of the games the first season. However, early in the sophomore season, he suffered a torn ACL in his knee which ended his athletic career. At the end of the season, the team qualified for the National Tournament in Hutchison, Kansas. Roy Edwards requested he travel with the team which placed fourth. During Ron’s sophomore year, he was elected President of Phi Theta Kappa, was selected Mr. Plainsman Runner-Up, Spring Formal King and selected for Who’s Who Among Junior College students. After receiving the Associate of Arts Degree in 1968, he transferred to the University of Colorado in Boulder. He earned a bachelor’s degree majoring in physical therapy from the Colorado University Health Sciences Center in Denver in 1970. His 34 year career in physical therapy included two years in Denver, 19 years in Grand Junction and the last 13 years in Cottonwood, Arizona. He retired from the health care field in 2004 as Director of Rehabilitation Services at Verde Valley Medical Center. Ron met a Sterling girl, La Donna Henkle who also graduated from Northeastern Junior College in 1966. She was working for Coach Roy Edwards when they met. They were married in 1968.