Donald W. Krauter

Troy - Donald W. Krauter of East Glenville, NY and recently of Troy, NY, passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on July 27, 2016 at The Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center. He was born May 17, 1923 in Bucyrus, Ohio, the eldest of 4 children of Paul and Mabel (Fraley) Krauter.

Following his 1941 graduation from Bucyrus High School, Donald studied engineering at Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland. His studies were interrupted by World War II during which he saw active duty with the 76th Army Infantry division in Europe. 

On June 29, 1947 he and Shirley Mead were married in their hometown of Bucyrus. In 1948 he completed his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and began his career in Schenectady, NY with General Electric’s Steam Turbine Generator Division. Throughout his 39 years of service with GE, Donald worked in steam design and application engineering, as well as product planning and market research.  He retired in 1987. 

Survivors include his children John “Jay” of Belmont, California; Dr. Susan Krauter (Dr. Hank Venable) of Ft. Myers, Florida; Leslie Krauter (Michael Beditz) of Troy, New York; Deborah Krauter (Dan Solomon) of North Reading, Massachusetts and Eric (Sue Safton) of Cambridge, Massachusetts; granddaughters Dr. Katherine Beditz Cartwright (Daniel), Meg Beditz and great granddaughter Emilia Cartwright. He was predeceased by Shirley, his wife of 65 years; his parents; his brothers Dean of Canton, Ohio and Ken of Truckee, California and his sister Norma Oppenlander of Shelburne, Vermont.

Donald was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Schenectady for 66 years, serving on numerous committees and the administrative board. Donald’s interests, in addition to his family and maintaining their home, included photography, travel, gardening, and music.  He was a member of the Schenectady Photographic Society for more than 50 years.

Donald will be greatly missed by his family and friends after a very full life.  He will be remembered for his honest enthusiasm, his strong work ethic, and his sincere willingness to help others. He was a much beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and a very special grandfather as well as a loyal and helpful friend to many.
Donald’s family would like to thank the staff of Beechwood, Hawthorne Ridge and Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center and Dr. Chava for their compassionate and caring support during his later years.

Friends and family will gather to celebrate Donald’s life with a memorial service at First United Methodist Church in Schenectady on August 21, 2016 at 2PM. 

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