For many years, Richard and Lucille Kroninger opened their home and their hearts to Oxford, particularly its young people, never asking for anything in return. Their reward was the happiness of others and the satisfaction of helping.
‘They made sure they shared their good fortune with others,? said son Tim Kroninger. ‘They were the epitome of doing things for others.?
The Kroningers? legendary hospitality and generosity earned them the respect and affection of many as evidenced by the fact that ‘well over 300 people? attended a celebration of their lives held Nov. 21 at Kalloway’s Restaurant and Pub.
Sadly, the couple was tragically killed Nov. 16 in an automobile crash in Lapeer County’s Attica Township. Richard was 78 and Lucille was 76.
In all the ways we measure success in life ? financial, family, friendships, compassion for others ? the Kroningers were indeed the wealthiest people in town.
From 1966 until 1998, they owned the house at 1344 W. Drahner Rd., formerly the residence of the late Brace Beemer, radio voice of The Lone Ranger.
Thanks to Richard’s enthusiasm, expertise and aptitude for building things, it quickly became the place to go, especially for young people.
‘That’s where the kids hung out,? said daughter Kristina Macey, who’s lived at the house for the last nine years.
‘They loved to entertain,? Tim said.
Richard transformed the 5-acre spread into a large playground, almost an amusement park, complete with swimming pool, hot tub, basketball court, baseball field, volleyball court, tennis court and putt-putt golf course.
‘He’d just sit out there and watch everybody enjoy what he had created,? Tim said. ‘Dad built the things he built for other people to enjoy.?
‘It was a place where everybody was comfortable and had a good time,? Kristina said.
The Kroningers frequently opened their pool so the YMCA could give swimming lessons. ‘A lot of kids in this community learned to swim at my parents? house,? Kristina said.
While everyone was enjoying themselves outside, Lucille was busy inside cooking up a storm. Inevitably, the question ‘can I make you something?? would lead to a full-blown, sit-down meal. ‘She’d cook for anybody at any time,? Tim said.
‘She was an awesome cook,? Kristina said. ‘She made the best soups.?
But food and fun weren’t the only things the Kroningers provided their guests.
Richard was a very sociable man and didn’t mind if people bent his ear because he genuninely wanted to get to know them.
‘He was always listening and seemed to really care what they had to say,? Tim recalled. ‘You never heard him talk about himself.?
Whereas many adults had a habit of talking down to young people or not really listening to them at all, Richard was ‘very engaging? with his children’s friends.
‘He wanted to know what you’re doing and how he could help you,? Tim said.
‘It didn’t matter if you met him once or if you knew him your whole life, he left an impact on everybody,? Kristina said.
Everyone who joined the Kroningers? circle of friends quickly became part of an extended family and there was nothing more important to the couple than family.
Having a close-knit family built on a solid foundation of traditional values was the Kroningers? greatest accomplishment and will ultimately be their enduring legacy.
‘All of us stayed close,? Kristina said. ‘None of us moved far.?
Even after the Kroningers swapped homes with Kristina and moved to Crestmoor, Richard still helped maintain his old homestead on W. Drahner Rd. ‘He couldn’t let go,? she said. ‘He wanted to keep it in the family.?
Tim and Kristina agreed it was from Lucille that Richard really learned the importance of family. ‘She lived to be a mother,? Tim said. ‘Everything else was secondary.?
The Kroningers? love of family grew out of their love for each other and a blissful union that lasted for 56 years.
‘She was the rock behind him,? Tim said.
When Lucille’s health began to fail in recent years, Richard made taking care of her his full-time occupation.
‘Mom always took care of him and us, so he felt it was his time to step up and that’s what he did,? Tim said.
Immediately following the accident that ultimately claimed both their lives, Richard’s only concern was for ‘his Lucy? and making sure EMS personnel knew about all her various medical conditions.
Though he suffered significant internal injuries, Richard never complained or exhibited any concern for the seriousness of his own injuries. He just wanted to make sure his wife was all right.
‘Talk about life-partners and soul-mates,? Kristina said.
Partners is a great word to describe the Kroningers because they were always there to support each other wherever life took them.
They originally moved here from Allentown, Pennsylvania because Richard’s dream was to work in the auto industry. After serving with a U.S. Army artillery unit during the Korean War and graduating from Muhlenberg College, Richard arrived in Michigan to attend General Motors Institute (now known as Kettering University). He received a degree in mechanical engineering.
He went to work for GM’s Pontiac Division, but later pursued a career at International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) while attending Detroit College of Law.
Richard later decided to leave the corporate world to own and operate party stores, of which he owned three in Oxford, Auburn Hills and Keego Harbor.
Aside from being good businesses, Richard liked the party store game because it gave him the opportunity to talk with people all day long, to really get to know them.
‘He was like the PR guy,? Tim said.
It was through owning a party store in Auburn Hills and getting to know the locals that Richard decided to make a brief foray into the newspaper business.
‘People in the area said we need a paper, so he just started one from scratch,? Tim said.
It was called the Auburn Hills Community News and it existed from 1983-84.
‘There was no economic gain to him whatsoever, but (there was) a big cost, I’m sure, ? Tim noted. ‘He really did it for other people.?
But that was Richard’s nature ? see a need, fill it. Perhaps that’s why he was a member of so many groups including the Lions, Optimists and the Auburn Hills Exchange Club.
He was always a doer in life willing to tackle any challenge, fill any role ? even a holy one.
Back when Richard was a deacon at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Orion, he would give sermons when the pastor was out of town. Kristina recalled his sermons were ‘unorthodox? in the sense that they always reflected the present day, something many pastors didn’t start doing until years later.
‘He always seemed to be ahead of his time,? she said.
Kristina noted one of the visitors at her parents? celebration of life remarked how Richard ‘may have been an elder statesman, but his ideas were that of a younger man.?
‘He was 78, but he had the energy of a 40-year-old,? Tim said.
In Lucille, Richard found the perfect match for his can-do attitude and generous spirit.
When she wasn’t administering hearing and vision tests at schools all over Oakland County or taking care of her family, Lucille was constantly helping others.
‘If she learned of a cause or somebody that needed help or money, my mom would immediately send money,? Tim said.
For years, Lucille was active in women’s clubs in Oxford and Clarkston, raised funds for United Way and volunteered to work the polls during township elections.
Hard to believe she ever found time for her hobbies which included gardening, knitting, crossword puzzles and bridge, which was her ‘passion.?
The Kroningers? children are hoping to keep their parents? memory alive by establishing a scholarship program in their name.
They’re also planning to donate something to Oxford’s athletic department for all the joy it gave Richard watching his children and grandchildren play sports.
‘He loved Oxford sports, especially football,? Tim said. ‘He would go to the football games long after all of us stopped playing.?
For now, the family has requested memorial contributions be made in Richard and Lucille’s names to Lourdes Nursing/Rehabilitation Home, 2300 Watkins Lake Rd., Waterford, MI 48328.