Dec. 7, 1942 – Dec. 5, 2015

Richard Krause, the Ole Skipper, Glendale firefighter and fire captain for 27 years, passed away suddenly Dec. 5. He had been retired 17 years and was fully enjoying the good life playing golf, camping and fishing, RV-ing to the mountains, ocean and Monument Valley. He had a lifelong passion for classic cars.

A natural athlete, his pursuits included snow- and water-skiing and tennis. A longtime runner, he loved all sports and the outdoors. And animals, especially dogs, which many of his closest friends were.

Born to parents Ruby and Bud Krause in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he quickly learned he wasn’t crazy about school, but excelled in winter sports, ice-skating and medaling and “lettering” in downhill ski-racing, slalom and ski-jumping.

Enlisting in the Marines, he sailed to Japan and Hawaii, and was honorably discharged in 1964. That page in his life meant a lot to him. Semper fi!

He met and married his love and best friend, Kathy Keating, while he was a division manager at Sears Roebuck. They spent 46 years together pursuing adventures: driving the ALCAN Highway from L.A. through B.C., the Yukon and Alaska in an eight foot camper, finally boarding the Alaska State Ferry and sailing through the Inland Passage home.

There were ski trips to the French and Italian Alps, Mexico camping trips, and RV-ing through a lot of Canada. A full and wonderful life well lived!

When he joined the fire department in the early ’70s, he found the career of his lifetime – he loved it! And he loved the guys he worked with, and the camaraderie they shared!

He returned to school earning his A.S. degree and taught fire science at Glendale College. Additionally, as animals were one of his many interests, he studied and became a docent at the L.A. Zoo for two years.

He has three wonderful siblings, sisters Sue McClanahan (Vern), Joann Eichten (Gary), and Judy Barbeau (Rich), all of whom reside in Minnesota.

He is greatly missed by his large family and many friends, including sister-in-law Trish Keating, cousin Cheryl Coughlin and many many beloved nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and lifelong best friend Bob Fiske.

Further obituary for Richard is posted at http://tributes.com/condolences/view memories/103092832 where others can post their comments and stories.

Memorial services will be held at Forest Lawn Glendale at the Church of The Recessional on Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. A Celebration of Life will follow the services.