Eugene Kreuzberger

Our beloved father and grandfather Eugene F Kreuzberger passed away on January 20, 2021 after a long battle with bone marrow cancer.  His wife of 61 years, Kathleen Osborn Kreuzberger, passed away 2 years ago.  He leaves behind a much-loved family including a daughter Alicia Pepper, a son Thomas E. Kreuzberger and his wife Anna, three grandchildren, Austin E. Pepper, Garrett L. Pepper and Cole T. Kreuzberger , and a step grandson, Daniel Engel and his wife Mary.  He also leaves behind many special friends he was blessed to share his life with, including his special companion Joanne Siegfeldt.

Gene was a self-made man in every sense of the phrase. He was born in Toledo Ohio in February of 1934. At a young age he moved to Saginaw Michigan where he grew up.  He began working as a paper boy at age 11 and had odd jobs throughout his early years and teens, he never stopped working. He put himself through school with the help of his older sister and he earned a Mechanical Engineering degree and an MBA at the University of Michigan.

Gene spent most of his career with DuPont beginning in the plastics department in Wilmington, Delaware in 1958.  He eventually moved up to manage the global “Corian” business for many years.  Gene then became the manager of DuPont’s Safety business and DuPont’s recycle business, before finishing his distinguished career overseas for Dupont. In 1988 Gene and Kathleen moved to New Delhi, India as President DuPont Far East, India.  In 1991 they moved to Sydney, Australia as Managing Director DuPont Australia and New Zealand.  In 1993 they moved to Tokyo, Japan as Managing Director New Business Development, Asia Pacific.  Gene retired in 1995.  The Kreuzberger’s retired to Kiawah Island, South Carolina in 1996 and enjoyed retirement there for 10 years. They later chose to move closer to family at Hershey’s Mill in West Chester, Pennsylvania in 2006. They then moved to Jenner’s Pond in West Grove, Pennsylvania in 2014 and he has lived there since.

During Gene’s retirement he loved spending time with his family, traveling, and while in Kiawah he enjoyed biking, swimming, and golfing. When Gene moved back to Pennsylvania, he bought a mountain house in Eagle Rock, near Hazelton, Pennsylvania, for the family to spend time together. Gene and Kathleen also started the tradition of going to a resort for a week each year with his entire family. The tradition began when they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and several Club Med vacations in Cancun and the Dominican Republic and Jamaica were to follow. He was fortunate to not only live in many interesting places but also travelled extensively to see as much of the world as he could. He loved to travel with his friends and family on river cruises going places all over Europe and Asia visiting France, Germany, Hungry, Czech Republic, China, and several others. One of his favorite trips  was with his grandson Austin where  they went on  a two week visit to Iceland, and they traveled the infamous ring road driving themselves.

Gene was fortunate to spend his last few years engaging with his family and friends, playing bridge, talking politics, and spending time with Joanne. They took what would be his last trip on a Mississippi River Boat. When COVID hit and Jenners Pond was shut down, he and Joanne went to live at her Beach House in Ocean City MD. It was a place he loved and they would enjoy the beautiful views of the ocean from her deck.  Gene leaves a legacy of a wonderful Husband, Father, Friend and Businessman and will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of interacting with, and loving him, throughout his life.

You are invited to visit with Gene’s family and friends from 11 – 12 Noon Friday, May 14, 2021 at the Kennett Square Golf & Country Club  100 E Locust Ln, Kennett Square, PA 19348 .  Signage to the event will be posted at the entrance.  Due to COVID capacity rules, his memorial service will be held privately and will be video recorded for future viewing on this site.  Contributions in his memory may be made to the United Way of Southern Chester County www.unitedwayscc.org/give or 106 West State Street Kennett Square, PA 19348.  Arrangements are by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) To view his online tribute, please visit www.griecofunerals.com