Tales from the Pit - In Memoriam

I dedicate this entry to the memory of Karl Krueger. He was killed on Tuesday when the semi he was driving rammed into the rear of another semi, causing a chain reaction which resulted in a five semi pile-up and accident. Some of the other drivers were taken to the hospital for their injuries. Karl was killed instantly, with the police declaring him dead on the scene. The cab was crushed entirely, making it impossible for anyone to have survived such a collision.

He was 62 years old and was a month away from retirement. He had planned to travel around the world and enjoy his retirement after over 15 years of driving. He and my father became friends due to their veteran backgrounds in Vietnam. He took it rather hard since they got along rather swimmingly. Politically active and connected, he was good for a laugh and also useful information. I will miss his regular presence at our restaurant and humor. I was working on battleship design for him which will now sit unfinished. He leaves behind a sister and an ex-wife, whom he was on good terms with and talked to often.

Life is too short. Seize it.

Here's to you, Karl.