Henry Kraus

Born in Akron, Ohio April 12, 1923, and preceded in death by his father, Charles Morton Kraus; mother, Gertrude Gibans Kraus, and brother, William Gibans Kraus; Henry Kraus, M.D. succumbed to carcinoma of the pancreas on October 3, 2012.

Henry is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Esther Mackey Kraus; four children, Dr. Charles. T. (Judith) Kraus, Canton, Ohio, Thomas H. (Laurel) Kraus, Boulder, Colorado, Anne K. ( Dr. Stephen) Matter, Normal, Illinois and James D. (Carla) Kraus, Akron, Ohio; Henry was a beloved grandfather to 12 grandchildren, Matthew, Adam (Rie), Daniel, Charles (Ting), Toby, Isabelle, Lauren, Henry, Rachel (Jarrod), Aaron, Leah, and Hannah.

A lifelong resident of Akron, Ohio except for higher education and service with the United States Army, Henry graduated from King Elementary School and West High School. He matriculated at Harvard College in 1940 and subsequently was accepted at Western Reserve University's School of Medicine where he graduated Alpha Omega Alpha in the class of 1947. He completed his post graduate residency training in Medicine and additional training in Cardiology at University Hospitals of Cleveland, the Thorndike Memorial Research Laboratory of Boston City Hospital Harvard Medical Service, and The West Roxbury Massachusetts Veterans Hospital in West Roxbury, Mass. During the Korean Conflict, Henry was assigned to the 21st. Army Evacuation Hospital in Pusan, Korea and was a member of the Epidemic Hemorrhagic Fever Research Team in Pusan. Henry completed his military tour of duty at the Tokyo Army Hospital in Tokyo, Japan.

After being honorably discharged from the Army, he returned to Akron with his expanding family in 1953 to care for his ailing mother and eventually establish his practice in Internal Medicine and Cardiology in association with Richard A. Guyton, M.D. in a modest office located at 2240 Broad Boulevard, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Henry retired after 37 years of practice in 1990. He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement. He traveled abroad with his wife, Esther, and he actively pursued interests in family genealogy, art and art history. He took a particular interest in encouraging his grandchildren to excel in their own educational pursuits. His only regret about retiring was that he sincerely missed the personal and intellectual relationships he had with his patients and colleagues.

Henry was one of the founding members of the Delaware Sunnyside Athletic Association (DSAA) and a charter member of the Delaware-Ridgecrest-Sunnyside July 4th. parade committee. For years he proudly carried the American flag as a member of the group portraying Archibald Mac Neal Willard's painting "Spirit of 76" during the neighborhood July 4th. festivities. An unpretentious man with a self effacing sense of humor, he was noted for his portrayal of one of the Andrew's Sisters trio along with Dr. George Conger and Dr. Warren Bartholomae at neighborhood parties and celebrations. Perhaps more than anything else; however, he is remembered for his keen mind and his breadth of knowledge and understanding not only of medicine but also of the world about him. Professionally, Henry was the consummate physician to his patients; he continued to make house calls until his retirement. His patients came from all walks of life and included a number of Akron's civic and business leaders. Dr. Kraus was honored by the Knight Foundation's contribution of $100,000 to Akron General Medical Center in 1982 to establish the Henry Kraus, M.D. Clinical Research Endowment Fund. The Akron Community Trust and The Roush Foundation have made subsequent donations to the Fund. Dr. Kraus served as Chief of the Department of Internal Medicine at Akron General Medical Center from 1958 until 1961.

During his professional years he was an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. He was a member of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee of Akron General Medical Center from 1970 through 1988. In 1983 Henry was inducted into the Akron General Medical Center Distinguished Physicians Society. Dr. Kraus was a member of the First Congregational Church of Akron, The Franklin Club, and The Mayflower Club. He and his wife, Esther were privileged to have been part of a close knit circle of enlightened friends, neighbors, and colleagues who enjoyed hosting gourmet theme dinner parties, picnics at Blossom Music Center Cleveland Orchestra concerts, traveling to the far corners of the earth, skiing and making snow angels on the ski slopes of Colorado, and constantly poking good natured fun at one another.

The family would like to extend its gratitude to all the neighbors and friends who helped ease the burden of his illness. Special thanks are reserved for Daniel P. Guyton, M.D., Akron General Visiting Nurse Service Hospice and Palliative Care service, and Mary Grable, R.N. for the direction and care they provided, and to all the in home care attendants who cared lovingly for both Henry and Esther during his final days.

A memorial service will be held at First Congregational Church, 292 East Market Street, on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 11 a.m., with a reception immediately to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Akron General Visiting Nurse Service Hospice and Palliative Care, 3358 Ridgewood Road, Akron, Ohio 44333 or The American Heart Association, 3505 Embassy Parkway, Akron, Ohio 44333.