Richard W. Kruse

Richard W. “Dick” Kruse, 88, of Westborough, passed away on Monday, August 7, 2023 at the UMass/Memorial Healthcare-University Hospital. He was the husband of the late Jane P. (Pero) Kruse for 56 years.

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he was the son of the late Richard and Jane (Woodyard) Kruse. He was raised and educated in Sandusky, OH and a 1953 graduate of Sandusky High School.

Four years later he graduated with his BA degree from Denison University in Granville, Ohio where he was a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity and Denison Men’s Glee Club. He earned his first Masters of Education degree from Boston University and his second Masters of Education from Cambridge College.

Dick moved from Ohio to Massachusetts to work for Worcester Rehabilitation for Speech and Language. After 6 years there he then became a professor at Fitchburg State University teaching speech and public speaking courses from 1967 to 2000.

Most recently he was associated with the Worcester Unitarian Church where he sang in the choir. He was a frequent tenor soloist at reunions, anniversaries, weddings and funerals. Dick was a former president and performer with the Westborough Players Club and always relished a great character role.

He volunteered in Worcester at Audio Journal where he read newspaper and magazine articles to those who were unable.

Dick’s passion for wine brought him to Nashoba Valley Winery where he was a long-time tour guide. He loved introducing others to the joys of fruit wines.

He loved animals of all kinds: cats, dogs, birds and turtles. His favorite was his cat Luther who was with him to the very end of his life.

Dick’s greatest love was his family including his late wife Jane, his kids and grandchildren. He is survived by three children, Meredith E. Kruse and her partner, Michael McAuliffe of Worcester, Scott F. Kruse and his wife, Marnie, of Fairfield, CT and Allyson K. Moreno and her husband, John, of Bourne and seven grandchildren, Ben Kruse, Ryan Kruse, Maggie Kruse, Noah Moreno, Jacob Moreno, Hannah Moreno and Sam Moreno. Dick is also survived by his sister Christina Lecumberri of Mexico City, Mexico.

Calling hours are Tuesday, August 15, from 5 to 7 P.M. at the Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough.

His funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 16, at 10:00 A.M. in The Congregational Church of Westborough, 57 West Main St., Westborough. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Red Cloud Indian School at www.redcloudschool.org.