Obituary
E. Herbert Krug, beloved husband of the late Judith F. Krug, father of Steven (Denise) Krug and Michelle Litchman, grandfather of Jessica and Sydney Krug, Hannah, Rachel, and Jason Litchman, cherished brother to Shirley (Howard) Katzman, and brother-in-law to Jay (Ilene) Fingeret, Buzz Fingeret, and Susan (Steven) Pavsner, died on May 1, 2024, from complications following a stroke. He was 85.
Family, work, travel, and curiosity were at the center of Herb's life. Born June 18, 1938, to Solomon and Lillian in South Bend, IN, he earned his undergraduate degree from Indiana University. After moving to Chicago, and working in accounting and marketing, he earned an MBA from the University of Chicago and discovered his passion for direct marketing at the Maxwell Sroge Company.
His true passion, though, was his wife, Judith. The two met in 1961 at the University of Chicago through a mutual friend. It was soon obvious theirs would be a lifetime love. With Judy by his side, his entrepreneurial spirit drove him to strike out on his own to found Herbert Krug and Associates, a direct marketing strategies firm.
When he wasn't at his office on Davis Street, he was often traveling the world. Kibbitzing with an artist in Japan, navigating a car up a narrow, winding street in Italy, hoping for an eleven at the craps tables in Vegas, or for a birdie on Hammock at Ocean Reef, he and Judy, often accompanied by good friends, Judy and Aaron, crossed the states and the globe.
When in town, though, there was nothing he enjoyed more than spending time with his grandchildren. Pop-Pop doled out nuggets of wisdom, family lore, and many, many articles to the kids weekly. He taught them to dance the Herbster Shuffle, to always hold the lemon on an iced tea, to order an apple pancake well done, and most importantly, to be good people.
After Judy died in 2009, Herb dedicated himself to strengthening her legacy, stewarding the Freedom to Read Foundation's Judith F. Krug Memorial Fund, serving as FTRF's Treasurer and chairing its Finance, Membership, and Fundraising Committees. He was awarded FTRF's Roll of Honor in 2014. In addition to his work with FTRF, Herb was a dedicated philanthropist, mentor with Score, and served on many boards including the Israeli Chamber of Commerce.
He led a full, beautiful life and will be missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to The Freedom to Read Foundation, 225 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60611, or www.ftrf.org.
Chapel service Monday, May 6, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Interment Shalom Memorial Park. For information, including the link to view the service, shiva information and to leave condolences, www.shalommemorial.org or (847) 255-3520.