Albert "Al" Leroy Kramer

Albert “Al” Leroy Kramer, 80, of Catawba Island, Ohio, formerly of Romeo, Michigan, passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on July 2, 2025.

Born June 17, 1945, in Almont, Michigan, Al lived a life defined by service, integrity, and a deep love for his country and family. He earned his triple major Bachelor’s degrees in History, Psychology, and Biology in 1969 from Western Michigan University. He received his double Master’s degrees in Education Leadership and Audiovisual Media in 1977 from Western Michigan University.

Al was drafted into the U.S. Army Infantry and proudly served three tours in Vietnam from 1969 - 1972, where he began collecting wooden figurines—one of which, a coffee table, he often recalled with pride as something he “carried all the way back from Vietnam strapped to [his] back.” His 26-year military career culminated with his retirement at the rank of Master Sergeant. In addition to his military service, Al dedicated more than 26 years to federal government service at the Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM).

Al’s life was enriched by his many passions. During his college years he ran a scuba shop with his good friend, Mark. He was an avid outdoorsman, a keen photographer, and a lover of history, politics, hunting, shooting, classic films, and storytelling. Those who knew him will remember not only his dedication but also the warmth and humor he brought to every story he told.

He was preceded in death by his father, Albert Gotlieb Kramer; his mother, Edith Emma Bluhm; and his infant sister, Shirley.

Al is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen (Muller); his three stepsons, Kevin (Allison) Francis, Ryan Francis, and Shawn Francis; and five cherished grandchildren: Luke, Liam, Ryder, Violet, and Annie.

Visitation will Sunday, July 6, 2025 from 2:00 – 5:00 pm at Neidecker, Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home, Peninsula Chapel, 7755 E. Harbor Rd. Lakeside-Marblehead, Ohio. Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 pm Monday, July 7, 2025 at the funeral home with interment to follow in Catawba Island Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Port Clinton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 214 Madison St. Port Clinton, OH 43452. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.neideckercrosserpriesman.com .

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS BY ALBERT KRAMER

DOB: 15 JUN 1945

He served 3 tours in Vietnam from July 1969 to Feb 1972, on his last tour he came home early because “it was just too much”. He would have received a Bronze Star Medal with Valor had he stayed 2 more days, but he said “I just want to go home.”

--Written after the Kent State Massacre (circa 04 MAY 1970)

I have something I want to say, so I may as well let it all hang out! I can not really make up my mind whether or not we really belong here. The war has had a disastrous effect splitting the country, inflating the economy, and there arises the moral issue. There is no doubt it is immoral to kill, life is most precious. The thing I despise most is apathy and ignorance that exists among many Americans towards other people. All Vietnamese are “Gooks” or “Slope-heads” and are often treated like dirt or with a lack of human respect. Many Americans act childish, do things they wouldn’t do to anyone at home, nor want done to themselves. When a question arises as to the possibility of civilians possibly being injured, the usual reply is “that’s too damn bad, they had better move!” The peasants are the ones that get it from all sides, the Vietcong, Vietnamese government, and sometimes American firepower. It is these people that will eventually determine the outcome of this conflict and will determine when the US can withdraw. Yet some Americans look upon the war as just a game.

If someone calls me an American, I wonder if I haven’t been insulted. I like these people even though they have strange values and customs. You must learn to respect life itself and judge men on the basis of their merit, not the color of their skin, nor their station in life. Life is the second greatest gift of God! It must be cherished and not held selfishly by us in a private world.

Never will I say, “I was in Nam, you should go too.” I have a deep respect for anyone who has sincerely searched their conscience and made a decision and then abided by that decision. To go to Canada or jail takes great courage.

I was deeply saddened by the recent violence at Kent State Univ. The right of dissent is inherent to America and is what is trying to be preserved here for the Vietnamese yet people are shot down in the US. Why? Because they protest and want to find some order and reason or merely because they had long hair or dressed differently. Why do people fear the unknown so much? Like the Johnny Cash song, “What is Truth?”, anyone who seeks peace and advocates non-violence such as, Dr. Martin Luther King, Joan Baez, Pope Paul, just to name a few command our deepest respect for they help dignify the human race. Anyone who goes out into the world of the poor, sick, or ignorant, face tremendous challenge and deserve our respect. You have know idea the difficulties encounter when trying to change peoples ways for their own good without destroying their dignity and self-esteem until you have tried or until you have seen suffering. Whether it is the suffering or conditions in CON VON hamlet, a back street or rural town in Georgia & Alabama, Appalachia, or even your own backyard, it is all the same! For many people, life is just one big shit sandwich and everyday you must take a bite. How fortunate we are to have been White and an American and to life there and have a future there. A quotation comes readily to mind by James Baldwin, “God gave Noah the rainbow for a sign. No more water, the fire next time.” Those that Christ has revealed Himself to where those that the weak of body and lacking riches, were strong in faith and love. The face of Christ is in the faces of children, men, women, and the old. He is most readily seen in a suffering or innocent face!

**********Continues on different letterhead dated 05 SEPT 1970**********

“Time stands still for no man.”

“The only thing certain is change.”

Two notable quotes from history of mankind. Here there is too much time to just think. Looking off into the night sky one is amazed by the vastness of space and by the solum beauty of the stars constituting our galaxy. Always the future pops up and it can be the most perplexing question we face. What will become of me, what will I do, why am I here. All of these questions don’t seem to have an answers. Coming right down to it I still have much time before returning home yet at this early time the thought of going home frightens me. You see and meet many people all having dreams and ambitions. As for me I still am not certain of what I want to do with my life. There are times when I think that if I should die in this place it would be no “big thing.” Others have things to return to, roots, yet I only have my parents and their life is theres and mine is mine. “I am me!” Where will I finally live? Often during my youth I have dreamed and talked of where I would settle. Colorado & New Mexico stand as places I would certainly consider very strongly but are these merely dreams. Am I so caught in my past that I can’t move. Will I ever return to the academic community. I am not satisfied with my life the way it is. Somehow I feel like an utter failure and drop into depressive moods of pessimism. Someway I must achieve a place in this crazy world which I am a part and find something worth living for. During my leave before coming to Nam, there were only a few people I really wanted to see. While home I was so restless, this same restlessness has followed me these many miles and many months! Basically I think this restlessness is related to my need to be good at something, achieve some position of personal gratification. There are times when it is my sincere desire to change the world! I utterly despise injustice and ignorance wherever I find them. There are green-eyed monsters that have plagued man since the beginning of time. So often if men would only take time to think and appreciate the finer things in life.

Religion has always and will always be a part of my life. I dislike most churches and Christian institutions. Somehow many lack something. Anyone who has ever peered into the realm of microscopic and macroscopic world, seen his own children, watched life begin or watched life fade away cannot truthfully deny the existence of Yahweh. Reading the New Testament reveals much hope for man in his presence of Jesus Christ. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as my savior and as the son of God (Yahweh). Most of all, I love His compassion for mankind and his true justice. He is truly the son of the living God. I don’t know, nor pretend to know, the relationship between the Father, Son, & Holy Ghost, but I believe in them. Maybe the Trinity is ONE with God or in God.

My life has been a very rich one. I have seen many things, read many books, and have been free to dream and wonder through the “windmills of my mind”. There are few which I truly love with all my heart and their love has taught me how to love. At head of this list is my father, (he is great!). After father, you just can’t say too much about him, he is great. His ways are strange, but his love is not! My mother is right there too along with my Uncle Red. Not far behind are Patti and Jerry. I guess I have blabbed enough for now.

-Albert L. Kramer