Thaddeus Anthony Krupka

Colonel Thaddeus “Thad” Anthony Krupka died from Leukemia, peacefully, in his sleep, in San Antonio, TX, on 5 August 2023, with his family and dear friends by his side. Thad was born on 27 August 1944 in Chicago, Il and grew up in Rochester, NY. He attended Niagara University, majoring in accounting, and was commissioned in the regular Army, a second lieutenant, a distinguished military graduate in the Medical Service Corps. His many assignments included Ft Brag, Vietnam, Bremerhaven, Germany, the Office of the Surgeon General (twice), Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI, 107th EVAC Hospital, Wurzburg, Germany, Keller Army Hospital, West Point, and Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA among others. His awards and decorations included the Military Medical Merit Award, for distinguished service in the Army Medical Department, Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, The Bronze Star Medal, The Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Medical Badge and the Army Staff Identification Badge. He attended Baylor University for his Masters in healthcare and received the 1994 Dean Toland Outstanding Preceptor award. Thad served 30 years in the military with 18 moves.

Following retirement Colonel Krupka was recruited by Hermann Hospital, in Houston, TX and then went on to a number of other senior position at civilian hospitals in the northeast, retiring as the Senior Vice President at Fairview Healthcare in Minneapolis, MN. While in Minneapolis, he was an active member of the Minneapolis Rotary and was a five time Paul Harris Fellow.

Thad is survived by his wife, Diane Marie (Luber) of 55 years, who he met at Niagara University and married, after Vietnam, in 1968, in Williamsville N.Y. at The Nativity of Our Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. He is also survived by his children, Peter Michael, and his wife, Adriana Marie (Olivares), his grandsons Gabriel Julian, Dean Cristian, and granddaughter, Vivienne Lucia Krupka of San Antonio, TX, also his son Andrew, of Houston, TX, and his daughter, Lisa Elizabeth (Krupka) and Lars Weber and granddaughters, Julia Clare and Natalie Jane Weber of Seattle, WA. In addition, he is survived by his brother Joseph and his wife, Marjorie (Brogen), his brother Robert and his wife Pamela (Banner) and his sister Bonnie (Krupka) and her husband, George White and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Joseph Anton and Marjorie (Meteyer) Krupka.

Thad’s interests included running several marathons, skiing with his family, being an active leader in his church for Pre-Cana preparation and reading one of his favorites series by W E B Griffin. After retirement, he and Diane built homes with Habitat For Humanity of San Antonio and traveled all over the world. Their favorite overseas adventures included their ten trips to Australia. Thad’s absolute favorite pastime was walking a beach. Thad was admired by his family and friends for his encouragement and respect of others, his ethics and his love and caring of his family and love of the military. He was a devoted husband to Diane and the most wonderful father to his children.

Colonel Krupka will be interred in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, appropriately, over the Veteran’s Day Weekend. Donations may be sent, in his name, to Haven For Hope, San Antonio, TX.