Robert E. Krumlauf

Robert “Bob” E. Krumlauf, age 96 of Delaware, Ohio passed away on October 8th, 2023. He died peacefully, surrounded by family. Bob was born in East Canton, Ohio Nov 20, 1926, the middle son of Eugene and Hazel (Schatzman) Krumlauf. He was only 8 yrs old when his mother passed away. He and his brothers Don and Cliff were raised by their Aunt Viola McCreery. His big brother Don also kept a watchful eye over him as they grew up. Following his high school graduation, he joined the army in July 1945, and served at the end of WWII in the Occupation Forces in Germany gaining the rank of Tec-5 as a mechanic performing light and heavy repair work on military vehicles. Bob saw a close-up of man’s inhumanity to man when his outfit, on a recon mission, entered the concentration camp at Dachau. Following his discharge on January 8, 1947, he returned to Canton, Ohio and married Dorothy Koplock (Dottie) in April 1947, and together they raised 3 children. Benefiting from the GI Bill, and supported by Dottie and her mother, Anna Koplock, he graduated from Kent State University with a degree in business and economics. He developed a close relationship with his mother-in-law. He became a manufacturer’s rep for US Ceramic Corp for 27 years. Then in 1983, Bob opened his own business, Design Materials of Ohio, Inc which was a ceramic tile, marble, and granite distribution company in downtown Columbus and became known as the “Tile King”. He was a Master Mason of the David N Kinsman Lodge No. 617 F & A M. In 1984, he married Darlene Bills Noll, and they celebrated 37 years of marriage together, which included building their “dream home” in Columbus. In later years, he sold the business and retired. He enjoyed traveling with his wife Darlene. He also enjoyed his years as a volunteer at Riverside Methodist Hospital. They made many new friends following their move to Willow Brook at Delaware Run in 2014. They were active members of the “Top of the Hill Gang” at Liberty Presbyterian Church. He regularly watched Darlene playing cards and attended Saturday breakfast at Panera’s with his close friends. He focused his energy on taking care of Darlene, during her decline. When she passed away in 2021, he was inconsolable and missed her greatly. Our dad had a wonderful personality and never met a stranger. In the last few years, he loved to listen to Josh Groban and to visit with his distant family via his “Alexa” Show and more recently by Facetime (facilitated by Willow Brook staff member, Darlene Stover). He reminisced about his travels, especially to Italy. “Until you have been there 5 times, you haven’t been to Italy!” he would tell us. He loved his root beer, which many family members appear to have inherited the taste for. All will miss his smile and sense of humor. He is predeceased by his parents, his first wife, Dorothy, his wife Darlene, and his two brothers, Donald and Clifford, and stepdaughter Deborah Noll. He leaves behind his 3 children, Robert (Leanne) Krumlauf II, Douglas Krumlauf, and Debra Avila; 7 grandchildren, Matthew, Sara, Kyle, Tyler, Matt, Krystal, and Dante, 13 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, especially Lorrie (John) Shannon and Don Krumlauf. He also has a stepson, Michael (Lorena) Noll; step grandchildren, Andrea (Darin) Holland and Carter Noll, 4 step great grandchildren. Family will receive friends on Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 9:30 AM to 11:00am at the Rutherford-Corbin Funeral Home at 515 High St, Worthington, OH 43085. A service will follow at 11:00am at the funeral home and interment will take place at Blendon Central Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to (St Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital https://raise.stjude.org/REKrumlauf). To send an online condolence, please visit www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com.

Robert E. Krumlauf

November 20, 1926 - October 8, 2023