Wayne Edward Krinke

Wayne Edward Krinke passed away on March 4, 2025, at the age of 80 in Fort Collins, CO. Wayne was born June 9, 1944, to Vernon and Vera Krinke in San Antonio, Texas. Wayne’s father was in the US Airforce, which took the family to places like Ohio, Belgium, Japan, Texas and New Mexico. After Wayne graduated from Highland High School, he joined the army and proudly served 2 tours in the Vietnam war from 1964-1966.

After Vietnam, Wayne Krinke attended Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico. He received a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in counseling. He developed lifelong friendships in college that made a tremendous mark on his life. He worked as a high school educator at Albuquerque High School, West Mesa High School, and Cibola High School where he was also an assistant football coach for the Cougars. At Cibola High School he developed an adventure program in which he took students on many national park explorations. In the mid 90’s Wayne moved to Groveland, Florida where he was a counselor at Clermont Middle school. In the early 2000’s Wayne moved back to New Mexico where he was a counselor in Zuni, NM and ended his career as an educator/counselor in Aztec, NM.

As a young man, Wayne explored all he could, from legendary Taos Box rafting trips to building condominiums in Breckenridge, Co to visiting damn near every national park he could find. These experiences as a young man continued throughout his life, and Wayne was determined to expose his children, family, and friends to all the natural fascinations his world had to offer. Wayne found calmness and serenity in nature and bestowed this great gift upon his children and many others that came into his life.

Wayne had 3 children, Kelley, Kenzie and Nevada. Wayne was a very proud man, his children being the #1 source of that pride as an adult. Challenges certainly existed, but being a father was Wayne’s most coveted title. He lived for his children and spent his life working with the youth in many different contexts. To say the very least...Wayne was an admirable man on a monumental mission.

Wayne is survived by his daughters, Kelley Krinke (husband) John Collier, Kenzie Kimmel (husband) Troy Kimmel; his sister Chris Krinke-Lee (husband) Ken Lee; brother Paul Krinke (wife) Linda Krinke; his five grandchildren, Kingston Collier, Grace Collier, Call Kimmel, Beau Kimmel and Bella Krinkee; daughter-in-law Karla Krinkee.

Wayne was predeceased by his parents Vernon and Vera Krinke, and his son Nevada Krinkee.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 12pm at the Tramway Plaza Event Centre; 9600 Tennyson St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122, luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the National Parks Foundation; https://give.nationalparks.org/site/Donation or 1500 K Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20005 Phone: (202) 796-2500 Toll-Free: (888) GOPARKS.