In Memory

Donald Kriechbaum (Swimming)

Donald Kriechbaum (Swimming)

DONALD W. KRIECHBAUM, 93 ROCKFORD - Donald W. Kriechbaum, 93, of Rockford, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January, 25, 2014, surrounded by family. Born August 4, 1920, in Rockford, the son of William Ziock and Edith Octavia (Lundstrom) Kriechbaum. He was a 1938 graduate of Rockford Central High, graduated from Northern Illinois University where he lettered as a tailback in football and catcher in baseball. He later received his master's degree from University of Illinois. A superb all around athlete, Don played on a city champion hockey club, playing league games on a lighted rink on the Rock River and at the Sinnissippi Lagoon. He married his high school sweetheart, Lucille Davidson, on July 6, 1944, in Rockford. During World War II Don was a pilot, 1st Lt. in the U.S. Army Air Force Combat Cargo Group. He flew a Douglas C- 47 over the Himalayas in the China Burma and India Theater of War. Don enjoyed his career of teaching and coaching at Washington Junior High, West High and Auburn High Schools. He was a member of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. Late in life Don realized 2 out of his 3 wish list dreams of a hole-in-one, catching a legal Muskie, and seeing the Cubs win the World Series. He is survived by his wife, Lucille; daughters, Diane (John) Cobb and Lori (Shawn) McGuire; son, Ronald Kriechbaum; grandchildren, Beth (Gary) Hague, Sara Tanaglia, Andy (Darcell) Saunders, Colin McGuire, and Catie McGuire; great-grandchildren, Emma, Karra, Jaleel, Adam, Jernie, Joey, and Lucas. Predeceased by his parents and sister, Margaret Swanson. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 30, 2014, in Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Ltd., North Main Chapel, 2811 N. Main St., Rockford, with Pastor Ken Schmoyer officiating. Private burial in Scandinavian Cemetery. Memorial visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 29, 2014, in North Main Chapel, and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday prior to the service in the chapel.