Leroy George Krumm
Sept. 28, 1938 – April 17, 2020
Leroy George Krumm born September 28, 1938 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, aged 81, passed away at home in Oro Valley, Arizona on April 17, 2020 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
Lee’s career began in the U.S. Coast Guard in June 1956 as a cadet at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, graduating June of 1960. His career involved many facets of service, from teaching at the academy to traveling across the country from coast to coast several times for various tours of duty to being the OSC (on scene commander) for the rescue of 527 people from the Dutch cruise ship Prinsendam that caught fire in the Gulf of Alaska in 1980. His tour in Homer was on the USCG Buoytender Ironwood from 1969-71. He retired from service to his country Sept. 1, 1987. He had a short career in his beloved Alaska running a tour boat and fishing charter.
In April 1992, he became the Relief Master and then later the Senior Master of the Alaskan State Ferry Tustumena which operated year-round from Cordova to Dutch Harbor. It was the only ocean capable ferry in the system at the time. He retired from that position and for good in 2003. Hoping to improve his golf game, Lee and his wife Patti became snowbirds in 2004, spending winters in Oro Valley, Arizona and summers in Alaska. Lee became active in a number of clubs and organizations in Sun City as well as spending his fair share of time on the greens of the local golf course.
Scattering of Lee’s ashes will take place in New London, Connecticut at the Coast Guard Academy columbarium at the 60th class reunion in October and from the stern of the Alaska State Ferry Tustumena in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, sometime this summer. These plans are contingent on the progression of the coronavirus.
Lee is survived by his wife, Patricia Hammond-Krumm; his son and daughter-in-law Dennis and Denise of Homer; grandson Shawn of Homer; and two step-daughters, Michele Misurelli-Gillis and Christi Brooks both of Florida. He will be missed by many.
