Richard G. Kramer, 55, of Lillington, NC and New Port Richey, FL passed away on December 31, 2017 in his Florida home after a year-long battle with lung disease.
Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, healer, mentor and loyal friend. He was known as "Rich" to some, but as "Krusty" to most. He was born on December 5, 1962 at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, NC to William G. Kramer and Mitzie T. Kramer. Throughout his childhood he lived in South Carolina, Louisiana and Illinois.
Rich entered the USAF immediately following high school. After spending 8 years working on F16's he left the Air Force for a short time to attend college and transition to the medical field where he found his true passion. From 1989-2000 he was a member of the USAF Reserves Aeromedical Evac Unit at MacDill AFB, Tampa. He was a nurse at Florida Spine Institute in Clearwater, FL and then the VA Medical Center in New Port Richey, Florida. He re-enlisted into the active duty USAF in 2000. From Operation Desert Storm forward, he had 11 deployments, travelled to 38 countries and flew hundreds of missions as a USAF Air Evac Medic with the 43rd Aeromedical Evac Squadron out of Pope AFB, NC.
Rich & Dee met in June of 1988, roller skating in the streets of Tampa, FL. By September of 1988 they were married. 2018 would have marked their 30th wedding anniversary.
Rich enjoyed the outdoors, shooting at the range, "Driving Ms Daisy" (his tractor), fishing, woodworking, spending time with family & friends, any and all Sci-Fi and all types of social gatherings especially Taco Tuesdays with the gang. He had a deep love for family, friends and country. As a mentor and healer, he helped countless people throughout his short time on earth. His passing leaves a void in many lives and he will be missed.
Rich is survived by his wife Diane (Dee) Kramer of Lillington, NC & New Port Richey, FL, son Tony Kramer (Lillington, NC), daughter Kristina Sampson (New Port Richey, FL), granddaughters Hannah & Briella (New Port Richey, FL), mother Mitzie Kramer (Sun City Center, FL), brother William G Kramer, Jr. (Jacksonville, FL), mother-in-law Theresa Pannofino (Utica, NY), Brother-in-Law Russ Pannofino (Holland Patent, NY), Sister-in-law Deborah Pannofino (Holland Patent, NY) Sister-in-law Trish (Jacksonville, FL) niece Stephanie, nephew Daniel, nephew James (JT), great nephews Drew & Damian, aunts, uncles & cousins. He was predeceased by his father, William George Kramer, his sister Dawn Kramer Wells and Father-in-law Leonard L. Pannofino.
A Life Celebration Service is planned for Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 11:30am in the Airmen's Center 5446 Reilly Rd/Bldg 289 at Pope Army Air Field, (Fayetteville), NC 28308 Casual dress event, military members UOD. Non military ID card holders must enter through the visitor's center at the All American Gate.
Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, healer, mentor and loyal friend. He was known as "Rich" to some, but as "Krusty" to most. He was born on December 5, 1962 at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, NC to William G. Kramer and Mitzie T. Kramer. Throughout his childhood he lived in South Carolina, Louisiana and Illinois.
Rich entered the USAF immediately following high school. After spending 8 years working on F16's he left the Air Force for a short time to attend college and transition to the medical field where he found his true passion. From 1989-2000 he was a member of the USAF Reserves Aeromedical Evac Unit at MacDill AFB, Tampa. He was a nurse at Florida Spine Institute in Clearwater, FL and then the VA Medical Center in New Port Richey, Florida. He re-enlisted into the active duty USAF in 2000. From Operation Desert Storm forward, he had 11 deployments, travelled to 38 countries and flew hundreds of missions as a USAF Air Evac Medic with the 43rd Aeromedical Evac Squadron out of Pope AFB, NC.
Rich & Dee met in June of 1988, roller skating in the streets of Tampa, FL. By September of 1988 they were married. 2018 would have marked their 30th wedding anniversary.
Rich enjoyed the outdoors, shooting at the range, "Driving Ms Daisy" (his tractor), fishing, woodworking, spending time with family & friends, any and all Sci-Fi and all types of social gatherings especially Taco Tuesdays with the gang. He had a deep love for family, friends and country. As a mentor and healer, he helped countless people throughout his short time on earth. His passing leaves a void in many lives and he will be missed.
Rich is survived by his wife Diane (Dee) Kramer of Lillington, NC & New Port Richey, FL, son Tony Kramer (Lillington, NC), daughter Kristina Sampson (New Port Richey, FL), granddaughters Hannah & Briella (New Port Richey, FL), mother Mitzie Kramer (Sun City Center, FL), brother William G Kramer, Jr. (Jacksonville, FL), mother-in-law Theresa Pannofino (Utica, NY), Brother-in-Law Russ Pannofino (Holland Patent, NY), Sister-in-law Deborah Pannofino (Holland Patent, NY) Sister-in-law Trish (Jacksonville, FL) niece Stephanie, nephew Daniel, nephew James (JT), great nephews Drew & Damian, aunts, uncles & cousins. He was predeceased by his father, William George Kramer, his sister Dawn Kramer Wells and Father-in-law Leonard L. Pannofino.
A Life Celebration Service is planned for Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 11:30am in the Airmen's Center 5446 Reilly Rd/Bldg 289 at Pope Army Air Field, (Fayetteville), NC 28308 Casual dress event, military members UOD. Non military ID card holders must enter through the visitor's center at the All American Gate.
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