Never Before Never Again Verlen Kruger

Renmembering Verlen Kruger

Dec. xiv, 2008

This week marks the 25th ceremony of 1 of the greatest accomplishments in the world of exploration. On December 15, 1983, Verlen Kruger and his on-once again-off-again paddling partner Steve Landick, canoed down the Grand River to Lansing, completing "The Ultimate Canoe Claiming." For 3-and-a-half years Kruger canoed 28,000 miles through Due north America. The expedition remains unbeaten.
A boating legend, Kruger passed away in 2004 at the historic period of 82. A collection of his canoeing artifacts are now on exhibit at the AuSable River Center in Roscommon through spring. These historical relics were gifted to the Smithsonian and will become a permanent role of the globe's largest museum sometime in the nigh time to come.
"Verlen'south wife did not desire the items sitting in storage at the Smithsonian. Items sit in storage sometimes for years until they are displayed," said Julia Borak, curator at the AuSable River Eye. "And then until the Smithsonian is ready, Mrs. Kruger has us displaying these items. Along with her daughter, she created this exhibition and is very thankful to accept these artifacts on display in Michigan. We have no idea how long the exhibit will be here, so we are encouraging anyone interested to not delay in seeing information technology."

HOOKED ON CANOEING
The Verlen Kruger story shows that one is never also old to find a calling in their life. Kruger had never been in a canoe until the historic period of 41. After taking a trip in Canada, he was hooked.
Born in Indiana, he dropped out of high school at the age of xiv to help his family during the Great Depression. He was drafted into the Regular army during WWII and became a reconnaissance tank commuter. Eventually, he entered the Army Air Strength Flight Preparation School and graduated at the height of his course every bit a pilot and commissioned officer. Kruger went on to get a flying instructor, trained fighter pilots, and fifty-fifty flew a tour of duty in Korea.
Subsequently leaving the armed services he made his fashion to Portland, Michigan (Lansing expanse) where he married, had nine children (35 grandchildren and 13 peachy grandchildren), and became a successful plumbing contractor. Kruger and his wife divorced in 1984. He married ii more times before going back to his first wife; the 2 were remarried in 1997.
Kruger's passion for canoeing led him to paddle over 100,000 miles over the course of 41 years. His love for boating connected up to his final days, having been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Just a calendar week before he passed away Kruger paddled several miles along the Grand River.

WORLD RECORDS
His canoeing accomplishments earned him 11 Guinness World Records. Kruger was the offset to paddle and portage upward the entire Grand Canyon. He canoed every major river in Northward America and about of the major rivers around the world.
The AuSable River Middle has go the temporary home to many of the artifacts of Kruger's accomplishments. The exhibit includes three of the crafts that Kruger built and paddled during his 41-year canoeing career, including the solo canoe he used in the 28,000-mile trip described in his book "The Ultimate Canoe Claiming: 28,000 Miles Through North America."
That trip ended with Kruger canoeing some of the great rivers of Michigan. He crossed Lake Michigan through the Straits of Mackinac, paddling the Cheboygan River to the Pigeon River, the north and southward branches of the AuSable River, then down the Muskegon River out to Lake Michigan. He paddled along the shoreline to the K River, finishing in Lansing.

CANOE LEGACY
The legacy of Verlen Kruger also carries on in Irons, Michigan, home to Kruger Canoes. He started the company in 1991. Today, the company is owned by Mark Przedwojewski who moved the company from Lansing to Irons.
"I was into skateboarding every bit a kid growing up in Lansing and wasn't familiar with Kruger," said Przedwojewski. "After I started canoeing I learned about him and then went to piece of work for him. It is an honor to keep his legacy going. Up until recently I had a look list for his canoes, and on average, I would build 10 or 12 a year. The economy has slowed the need and right now I have orders for 5, but regardless, I will keep the legacy going."
For info on Kruger Canoes, go to krugercanoes.com or phone call Przedwojewski at 231-266-2089.
There is also currently a grouping working to build a permanent memorial to Kruger in Portland. A life-size statue is planned and to date $20,000 has been raised (about half of what is needed) through canoeing events and fundraisers. The Verlen Kruger Memorial will serve as an advocate of protecting the rivers of the globe, a cause that was important to Kruger. Details about the memorial and about his life may exist found at verlenkrugermemorial.org.
The AuSable River Center is located in downtown Roscommon. For additional details become to ausablerivercenter.org or telephone call them directly at 989-275-4392 to schedule a tvisit. The Center is open almost Saturdays in the winter (only be sure to phone call ahead) and will be open Fri and Saturdays during the jump and summer months.

Other Offerings
In addition to the Verlen Kruger Collection, the AuSable River Middle has several other exhibits:

The AuSable River Canoe Marathon: Now by the half-century mark, the history of this 120-mile overnight canoe race from Grayling to Oscoda is filled with legends and characters. Learn about what it takes to compete in this race – at present sponsored by the Weyerhaeuser Company – and what information technology ways to be in the running for ane of the richest purses in North American canoe racing. On display are T-shirts and paddles from the collections of local racers.

Jack'due south Wing Store: View the piece of work of the late Jack and Ann Schweigert who became local legends in the art of wing tying.

Primary David Shoppenagon: A Chippewa from the Saginaw River Valley who settled in Grayling old in the 1870s, the "chief" was widely renowned every bit an adept trapper, hunter and fisherman. Dressing in his Native American regalia to impress his clients, he became a sought-afterward guide. Check out the dugout canoe that belonged to Shoppenagon.

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Source: https://www.northernexpress.com/news/feature/article-3698-renmembering-verlen-kruger/

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