Art Kruger!  

As a youngster, Art attended the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. 
There he was a classmate of Abe Cohen, who taught at the R.I. School for the
Deaf for 44 years, and was a mentor to many people.  

After graduation he went on to Gallaudet U.  At some time in his young career 
he married his love, Eva.   He is known for his avocation, Deaf Sports.  
He became sports editor, at a young age, for the Deaf American.  

Deaf Sport  was a passion for Art.  No one has ever, or
likely will ever be as knowledgeable as Art as to outstanding deaf
athletes in the United States of America, or the world, in fact.  He made it his
business to know and write about every outstanding American deaf
athlete, no matter how small the deaf school, he played for.  He also knew and
wrote about outstanding deaf athletes in public schools, none escaped his
notice.  He was a great sports writer.  He never used a computer, but would type
in excess of 10 letters to coaches and athletes every night of his adult
life.  He was a very positive man, always encouraging.

Art is also famous for his work with the World Games for the Deaf
("Deaf Olympics").  He was the Director of the USA team for some 40 years.  He
was more or less a one man show, selecting the team, raising the money,
making all the arrangements for the numerous teams training camps and travel, 
coordinating the fund raising.  We are talking  about several hundred
people and more than 10 sports for the Summer Games, and many more for the
Winter Games.  It was an everyday job, but it was a labor of love.   I believe
Art Kruger was the greatest Deaf Man of the 20th century.  He was a
gentleman.  He was my friend.

I was fortunate to be selected by Art as a track coach for the 
1973,1977,1981 and 1985 (Head Coach) Deaf Olympics.  I worked for him
as a volunteer coach during the 1965 Games in Washington, D.C.  I enjoyed
many wonderful times with Art and Eva.  They were overnight guests in my
home.  One of my greatest honors was to serve as his personal interpreter when
he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate  by Hofstra U.

Dave,  there are other great sources within our organization, with 
personal knowledge and experiences.  Lou Penella of St. Mary's
(retired) and Charlie Day of Maryland both knew Art and could add much to what I
said.I hope this is helpful.

by  Jim Cooney