Gerald F. Kreyche: 1927-2007

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Jan, 2008

I started way back in September 1986 and ends with this issue---Gerald F. Kreyche, our esteemed American Thought Editor, no longer will be writing the magazine's Parting Thoughts column; the professor emeritus of philosophy at DePaul University, Chicago, passed away at age 80 on Nov. 17, 2007, after contracting West Nile virus from a mosquito bite. It's fitting that Gerry's final column is about the trials and tribulations of old age, and that his final book review pays tribute to Pres. Ronald Reagan, whom Kreyche called "the image of the mythic Man of the American West."

"Gerry always wanted to be a cowboy--ever since he was a little boy," says Eleanor Kreyche, Gerry's wife of 59 years. The two met in high school and were married on Gerry's 21st birthday, right after he finished his tour of duty in World War II. The couple had six children, 12 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Upon retiring in 1989, Kreyche, editor and author of several text books, fulfilled his dream of moving West: he built a house in Dolores, Colo.. near Mesa Verde National Park and the famed Four Corners. "We're surrounded by big mountains; it's just gorgeous," says Eleanor. "Every single day, without fail, Gerry would say how lucky he was to live in such a beautiful place. It was a pleasure to be married to him."

It also was our pleasure to work with Gerry and edit his work. He never missed a deadline nor turned in a poorly written piece. His column had a special place in USA TODAY, Situated on the final page of the magazine, it was the last thing readers would see--an appropriate, farewell, indeed.

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