| Karl and Linda Kraync stand at the front of the room after the soiree. |
On Dec. 12, many in the community met at a soiree hosted by the College of Eastern Utah where they bid a public servant of 37 years a fond farewell.
A salute was given by one and all as Karl F. Kraync Sr., brought in the Rehab Starship for the last time after many challenging yet rewarding years of dedicated service.
Karl’s employees, who border from the Four Corners region north to the Wyoming border, the largest geographical area in the state, were on board to wish him well. For the past three decades Karl has referred to his crew as Rogue Squadron and they have respectfully called him commander.
Karl has been the vocational rehabilitation director of Eastern Utah since 1975. During that time he has accomplished numerous projects and programs and he will be missed as he ventures on to pursue exciting and new galaxies.
He was honored with an afternoon of guests wishing him well and various individuals roasting him just for the fun of it.
Sandra Martinez McManus, his executive secretary of 31 years, was the M.C. for this occasion. Mike Keller and four Castle Valley Students presented him with a retirement chair and deep appreciation for all that he had done to help them create the S.T.R.R. Trophy Creations business. They were followed by a tribute to Linda Kraync for all the years she supported Karl in his service to others.
Presentations by Commissioner Mike Milovich and Joel Tate were made for services rendered.
C.J. McManus and Jeremy Barker dedicated and sang a song to Karl who has been their mentor over the past several years. Toasts by Nick Tatton, Lou Sanservero, Greg Ferderber, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Hirshi, Chuck Acklin, and Mike McDonald added to the entertainment that was followed by a Power Point presentation by Karl’s children showing pictures of days gone by. Brandy Kraync Fossett narrated while Karl Kraync Jr. ran the presentation.
The climax came when a young lady named Skye, who had been a client of Karl’s, came forward to express her appreciation to him for never giving up on her. She had traveled from Montrose, Colo. to let him know how much of an affect he had on her life.
In conclusion Karl expressed his gratitude to all those in attendance and emotionally said farewell. To those in attendance it brought the realization of how far Karl’s reach has spread and how many countless numbers he has helped as mention was made of the phone calls he had received that morning from the University of Montana directors as well as the Navajo Nation Rehab Directors. Both expressed that within a short period of time they will be journeying to his dealership to present him with a special award for all of the excellent support and coordination he had provided to them.
One of Karl’s past supervisors summed up the day with a poem he wrote.