Tribute to Chet

It is with deepest sorrow that the Numismatists of Wisconsin acknowledge the loss of Chet Krause, founding member, friend, mentor, and wonderful human being.

As many of you know, Chet founded the nationally renowned magazine, Numismatic News and subsequently Krause Publications, which became the nation’s largest hobby publication company. What is less known, outside of Wisconsin, is the fact that Chet served as the catalyst for the formation of the Numismatists of Wisconsin.

In Chet’s own words:

"Gathered about a great round table for lunch were a group of Wisconsin coin collectors at the CSNS meeting in Detroit, MI, in April 1960. Their presence there had been premeditated, for several groups had expressed a desire to do so and I promised to get the principals together face-to-face in an initial meeting toward getting a state numismatic organization for Wisconsin under way.”

N.O.W was formally organized on July 8, 1960, appropriately in Iola at Chet’s facilities. We are proud to that our club is still going strong and represents just a small snippet in the legacies of Chet Krause.

Chester L. Krause

Sometimes our NOW News and Notes feature contains information of the unwelcome variety. Such is the case in this issue. As you all know, our founding member, Chet Krause passed away on June 25th. His accolades have been well documented in the numismatic press, as well as nationally in non-numismatic publications. His legacy and charity will live on in so many venues it is hard to keep track, however, NOW members will continue to feel his presence every time we crack open the latest issue of NOW NEWS, or attend local show, or do research with any number of numismatic reference books or magazines he published.

A few friends of Chet contributed their fond remembrances which are printed here, beginning with Clifford Mishler’s eulogy which he delivered at the funeral.

CHET KRAUSE EULOGY

(Thank you clergyman Dale, I am humbled and honored to have been asked to address this assembly on this occasion.)

The life and contributions of Chester L. Krause.

Where would one start?

Yes, he was born and raised in rural Helvetia... but he without question became a worldly man.

I could definitely stand before you for two hours or more enunciating his accomplishments.

And, a couple more hours would be required for an enumeration of his contributions supporting the lives of others.

Chet was a "builder"... a builder in the truest senses of that word:

He was a contractor who built houses for ten years following his discharge from WW II service.

He was very successful in building his publishing business, his local community, and his chosen hobby communities over the next 60 years.

It was my good fortune to enjoy a 53 year association with him:

As a mentor. As a business partner. As a personal friend. And, as an all-around good guy.

I stepped into Chet's presence for the very first time on a cold Monday morning in early March, 1963. A hardy welcoming greeted me: "Hi, I'm Chet."

He was 39 and already a seasoned publisher.

Me, I was 23... ready to take on the world... I thought!

(I'd like to share one example from the early days of our 53 year association, to illustrate how Chet started "seasoning" me. One day Chet had called a staff meeting of the editorial and sales people for one o'clock, at which time there were probably upwards of 20 employees, so the number attending the meeting was not very large. As I would walk home for lunch, home being only about three blocks away, I was usually back to the office and at my desk before one. On this particular occasion, I was two or three minutes late. Entering Chet's office with the others already assembled, he lightly admonished me for being late, pointing out that I was wasting the productivity of others' time. I don't know that I was ever late for another meeting... certainly not one that Chet called.)

That first exposure to Chet forever changed my life, much as his exposure to coin collecting, collecting old cars, and other hobbies changed lives in those pursuits.

His vision, confidence and success also forever changed the character of the Iola community and the greater surrounding area.

Chet Krause was one of those rare individuals, a most remarkable person, one who touched our lives in most remarkable ways. Contemplate your association for a moment if you will:

As family, friends or neighbors. As a fellow hobby enthusiast. Or, as a professional business associate.

He quietly and humbly responded to those he discovered in need.

We've all heard the rejoinder; "Give Until it Hurts!"

His hallmark for generosity was; "Give Until it Feels Good!"

There are five words, in closing, that I would like to share with you, words that I believe best epitomize what Chet's ultimate objective in life was and how he pursued his interests:

He was a "passionate" individual.

He was "compassionate" of the needs and desires of others.

His "generosity" was unbounded.

He lived and breathed "service" and "humility."

Passionate, compassionate, generosity, service, humility... he was truly one of a kind... he was an achiever, but most importantly... he was just plain Chet!

(Chet truly enjoyed his relationships, you may rest assured, with each and every one of you here today.)

(Thank you for coming.)

From Fred Borgmann: Attached are two photo scans of happy days 30 years ago when Cathy and I got married. Chet honored us by driving us around in his 1941 Buick. The second scan is Chet and his niece Patti at the Wedding reception. He was so much more than just a boss.

From Tom Casper: One of the most memorable moments with Chet was when I attended the Day in the Country in Iola on August 16, 1999. The event followed the Chicago ANA convention with some people arriving in Iola on Quadracci's Silver Rail train. Clifford Mishler was KP President at the time. Chet had his collection of antique cars and tractors on on display and visitors were given rides in some of the cars. Also present was his military vehicle collection. Chet was walking around and answering questions about his vehicles. One of his military vehicles was a 1943 M4A3 Sherman tank. I couldn't believe they were offering rides in the tank and I jumped at the opportunity. I never stepped foot in a stationary tank before, much less ride in one. It was quite an experience. Thanks Chet.

From Jeff Reichenberger: I’ve had only brief encounters with Chet, though they were certainly memorable. The first, perhaps 20 years ago, I interviewed him for a writing project. I was nervous to meet him, however, he quickly made me feel at ease with his down-home demeanor. At one point we discussed the 1986 ANA convention held in Milwaukee – the convention medal that year depicted Chet, Richard Yeoman, and H.O. Granberg (three influential numismatists from Wisconsin). Chet handed me a medal and promptly stated, “I don’t know what the hell I was on there for. Dick Yeo should have been the only one on the medal. He did a lot more for numismatics than Granberg or I ever did.” His humility was truly genuine. In later years I had the pleasure of discussing printing and publishing with him. He enjoyed discussing the printing process and the gauntlet of challenges early printers went through to put out a printed product – his experience with Numismatic News – and some of the modern processes now in place to print publications such as NOW NEWS. I’ll treasure those talks with Chet and always feel his presence when publishing each issue.

Have an interesting numismatic topic you’d like to share with your fellow NOW members?

Send your article to evan.pretzer@protonmail.com today!!!

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