Gene Harry Krupa
KRUPA, DAZEY, HUDSON, BAKER, QUADE, LYKKE
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 3/8/2024 at 07:49:37
Gene Harry Krupa, PhD, 80, of Iowa City, died peacefully on Monday, February 26 surrounded by his family after a long illness.
Funeral services will be at 12:00pm on Saturday, March 2 at Trinity Episcopal Church, Iowa City, with Rev. Jim Harrison officiating. Visitation will be from 10-12:00pm at Trinity Episcopal prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed toward the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Johnson County (NAMIJC).
Gene was born in Chicago on August 14, 1943, the only child of Lillian and Julius Krupa. He was named after his famous uncle, the jazz drummer Gene Krupa, with whom he had a close lifelong friendship. His delight in literature was apparent early: his family’s parakeet would say “read to me” because he heard it so often from toddler Gene. Gene attended Morgan Park High School, where he participated in choir, drama, school government, basketball, and debate. He was the president of debate club the year Morgan Park won the city championship. Gene earned a full scholarship to Stanford University, where he majored in English and was a member of Phi Betta Kappa. He went on to graduate studies in English Literature at Columbia University and the University of Iowa.
Gene taught first at the University of Idaho, and then joined the faculty of the Department of Rhetoric at the University of Iowa, where he taught for twenty-three years. Gene was a gifted teacher and mentor whose students often remembered his dedication many years after working with him. He is the author of the textbook Situational Writing, the memoir Unfortunate Casting, and two children’s books about a flying squirrel with an overactive imagination.
On August 14, 1971--his birthday--Gene married Gail Dazey. He had first caught her eye as the lead in the school play back in high school. Gene was a devoted husband to Gail and a loving, playful father to their two daughters, Melanie and Nicole. He made sure to pass on his love of literature, reading them Where the Wild Things Are when they were little and Watership Down and Lord of the Rings when they were a bit older. Gene’s lifetime interests and studies were wide-ranging, encompassing classical and jazz music, Russian literature, the works of C.G. Jung, Native-American spirituality, and all things Chicago-sports-related. Gene suffered multiple illnesses in his life, including mental illness, and the patience, kindness, gentle humor, and dignity which he showed in the face of many trials was a constant inspiration to his family, friends, and those who took care of him.
Gene’s family is grateful to the kind staff of Emerson Point, Crestview Specialty Care, University Hospitals and Clinics, and Mercy Hospital of Iowa City for the care they have given Gene. We are also deeply moved by Gail Krupa’s years of unwavering devotion as Gene’s best friend, primary support person, and loyal advocate.
Gene is survived by Gail, his cousin Carol Hudson, his children Melanie Krupa (Beau Baker) and Nicole (Ben) Quade, and grandchildren Lillian Quade, Lochlan Krupa, Samuel Quade, and Meriel Baker. He was preceded in death by his parents Lillian Krupa (Lykke) and Julius Krupa.
Online condolences and memories may be shared on Gene's Tribute Wall.
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