Marvin Joseph Krupinsky

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on April 23, 2005:

Marvin Joseph Krupinsky Born April 27, 1928 - Died March 3, 2005 Marvin Joseph "Marv" Krupinsky was born in Springfield, Vermont on 27 April 1928 and was appointed to West Point from the only Congressional District of Vermont at the time. His West Point classmates recall: "Marv would have jumped to West Point on his skis if plebe year had started in January. This native of the Green Mountain state brought his proclivity for the sack with him, but he still found time to carry his roommates through academics and to float off to Bear Mountain Ski Jump. This fine athlete will be welcomed in the Army and his buddies hope he can adjust to the southern winter if necessary." During his cadet days Marv was on the Ski Team and the Ski Club all four years and served as Captain of the former first class year; went out for Baseball plebe and yearling years and earned a Monogram; went out for Soccer plebe and earned Numerals; and was a Cadet First Sergeant his first class year. Upon graduation, Marv went in the Corps of Engineers and after completing the Basic Engineers Course at Fort Belvoir, Virginia reported to Fort Lewis, Washington where he served from 1951 to 1952. Marv's next assignment was to the 1343th Engineer Combat Battalion in Korea, served from 1952 to 1953, and was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy. On return to stateside Marv joined the 6th Armored Division where he served from 1953 to 1954. In 1956, Marv earned a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1961, Marv earned a second Master of Science degree in Mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and then was assigned to the Mathematics Department at United States Military Academy as a Mathematics Instructor where he served until 1965. In 1965 Marv attended the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and on completion was assigned to Headquarters, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam where he served from 1966 to 1967. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding ser-vices. In 1967, Marv was assigned to Office, Chief of Research & Development where he served until 1969 and was awarded the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. Next Marv was named Commanding Officer of the 809th Engineer Construction Battalion and served until 1970 when he was selected to attend the Navy War College and then on completion stayed on the Staff & Faculty from 1971 to 1973 earning the Navy Commendation Medal for distinguished service. In 1973 he was named Deputy Commander 130th Engineer Brigade in Europe and served in that capacity to 1977. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation. From 1977 to 1979 Marv served, his last military assignment as SSA with the Maine National Guard and was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. Marv retired from the United States Army in 1979 as Colonel. From 1980 to 1994 Marv has been a College Mathematics Professor. Marv and his wife Jacquelyn made their home in Litchfield, Maine. On March 4, 2005 Lisa Krupinsky Paul informed the class as follows: Dick. Here are the details of Dad's passing. I've attached the funeral program in case you can attach PDFs. If you can't, I'll forward it to Andy Chacon who may be able to post it to his page. Lisa Krupinsky Paul here. Dad passed away peacefully at about noon yesterday. He surprised all the hospice staff by lasting two weeks longer than expected and staying lucid until the very last few hours. It was a very painless and easy death. While Dad knew us, responded to things and enjoyed being in his own home, he just grew weaker and weaker and slept more and more. This old soldier really did just fade away. We sent him out in his fatigues. However, he had a wonderful last few weeks with all the great phone calls and emails from '51ers and other friends. He enjoyed having the news read to him -- especially all the ongoing controversies. Whenever I checked in with him he'd ask who the Red Sox were bashing now and what's the lastest political firestorm blazing on the Class of '51 email ring. His last weekend was especially good. The whole family piled on the bed and Steven played all Dad's favorite cowboy songs on his guitar. The Krupinsky Family rendition of "The Streets of Laredo" won't make the Grand Ol' Opry hit list, but Dad got a kick out it. We will be holding a memorial for his Maine friends and golf buddies Wednesday, March 9, at the Knowlton Hewins Roberts Funeral Home, One Church Street Augusta 04330. We'll be bringing him to West Point for burial in May (date to be determined). And we'll have a mass in his hometown church in Springfield Vermont. We are asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Dad's name to The Jimmy Fund which is an excellent program at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The Jimmy Fund has always been sponsored by the Red Sox, starting with Ted Williams, and more than 88% of your gift goes directly to cancer treatment and research. The address is The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline MA 02445. Please mention that it is a memorial donation in Dad's name. I should share that Mom really showed what Army wives are made of -- especially on the day of Dad's death. When we thought Dad had gone, we called for a nurse to come and pronounce. We were told every available nurse was in a meetng 40 miles away and it would be hours before anyone could come. Mom started the phone lines blazing and got someone yanked out of the meeting to get down here. That nurse came barrelling down the driveway and promptly ran into a snowbank and started crying. Before I knew what was happening, Mom was out there in her horse boots shovelling out this woman's car while the nurse sniffed helplessly. We decided it was probably great to have this moment of high comedy. Mom will send more information. So I'll just thank you again for all your kind thoughts, emails and friendship through the years. (Jackie advises that Marv's inurment will occur on April 28, 2005. His remains will rest at Section XXI , Row E, Grave 76, West Point Cementry. AND BEAT NAVY! ufa

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