Roland Harry Kratzer Jr. ’53

Bud Kratzer, who attended the Boston reunion and whose picture appeared in a recent class notes column, died Feb. 28 in New Haven.

Bud, whose home was in Branford, Conn., prepared at the Hopkins School. He ate his meals at Campus Club, was on the fencing team, belonged to the Institute of Radio Engineers, and was technical director of WPRU. He majored in physics, completed the NROTC program and was commissioned an ensign when he received his diploma. After his tour of duty, he returned to Connecticut and joined his father in the family mortgage banking business. In 1958 he married the former Joan Montgomery. Northeast Bancorp acquired the Roland Kratzer Co., which became NBI Investment Corp., and Bud was its pres. until he retired in 1990.

Bud's hobbies were woodworking and sailing. He built his own 34-foot sailboat and outfitted the interior from scratch, his longtime friend and two-year college roommate, Jeff Neville recalls. In retirement Bud switched from sailing to motoring on his 36-foot trawler. He is survived by Joan, and children Ellen K. Rose '84, Macolm '86, and Roland H. III. A loyal classmate all the way, Bud was buried wearing his '53 tie.

The Class of 1953