Ensign Kristopher Krohne, USNR, was killed in a T-37 plane crash during a solo training flight in 2000 at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, OK. The bench at Coronado’s Vista del Barco Park serves as a marker to remember Kristopher and his service to our country. eCoronado.com sat down with his mother, Kay Krohne, to learn more about her beloved son Kristopher. As Memorial Day approaches, let this story remind us of the men and women that have given their lives to secure our freedom.
At the bend where Ynez Place turns into Glorietta Boulevard just above the Coronado Yacht Club, there is a hidden park with a single bench that provides a wonderful view over the bay. I’ve sat here many times to read a book, eat lunch or just take in the view for a few moments before getting on with my day.
Earlier this week, I had some extra time and I decided to take a few photos to share my ‘secret spot’. Prepping to post the photos, I read the words inscribed on the front and back of the bench and it hit me that I had been doing a disservice to the family members that placed this memorial bench at this serene location. I hadn’t thought about the people that so lovingly donated their time and money in order to remember their fallen family member Kristopher Krohne. I decided to expand the post as I learned more about this CHS grad and fallen sailor.
I contacted the Krohne family and asked if I could interview them about Kristopher and perhaps get access to a few photos of Kristopher to include with this post. His mother, Commander Kay Krohne, USN (Ret.), was incredibly gracious and invited me into their home to share more details and photos of Kristopher.
We started talking about the first time Kay and her husband Ted (also a retired Navy Commander) came to Coronado. She shared that her father was in the Navy and that she had attended elementary school here years ago. When she joined the Navy, she had an opportunity to be transferred to Coronado and “jumped at it”. Later, Kay met her husband while living at Oakwood, now the Coronado Bay Club.
Kay was a Naval administrator in public relations, personnel management and then financial management. She also served as a Commanding Officer of the Personnel Support Activity at Naval Training Center, San Diego. Post Navy, she serves as the CEO of the Krohne Connection which specializes in corporate training and leadership consulting.
Her husband Ted was a pilot and served in many positions including Commanding Officer of VRC-30. After Ted’s retirement from the Navy, he was a commercial airline pilot with US Airways and NetJets. He now has a Baron twin-engine plane at Brown Field and does Wounded Warriors missions and Angel flights. He also volunteers his time with the Boy Scouts of America.
They had two sons, Kris and Karl. Both attended Coronado public schools and graduated from Coronado High School. Their younger son Karl is currently serving in the Navy after attending UCSD.
Kris attended UC Santa Barbara and decided he wanted to join the Navy. Since UCSB didn’t have a NROTC (Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps) unit, he transferred to George Washington University. During that time, Kris interned for Congressman Brian Bilbray. Congressman Bilbray shares his thoughts about Kris towards the end of this article.
Kay shared that Kris had a plan to get contacts in DC, complete a political science degree, get his commission, go to flight school, get “jet jockey” experience and then run for senate – not congress!
Below: Kristopher’s father, Commander Ted Krohne, USN (Ret.), handed him his sword during his commissioning ceremony at Arlington.
Kris went to flight training at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, OK as part of an exchange program. During his time at Vance, she talked about how others described Kris as the “California kid” and was laid back and well-liked. Below is a picture that shows Kris wearing his Peohe’s Hawaiian shirt (courtesy of his friend Pat Bosworth) under his flight-suit as well as a commentary from a fellow classmate:
The memorial bench is located in a small park just a few doors down from their home on Ynez. Prior to 2000, the area was full of bushes and the City of Coronado was considering clearing it for public use. Tom Smisek was mayor at that time and helped the Krohne family with their goal of creating Vista del Barco Park and adding a bench/memorial for Kris.
Kay describes the area: It’s the perfect place to watch the 4th of July fireworks – if you get there early enough! Let me just say that we have seen people get married down there, have parties down there, sit with their loved ones holding hands and that makes us feel good that it’s being used and enjoyed. My husband goes there to feel closer to Kris.
She went on to describe Kris: I hope people remember him by his smile and his intuitive knowledge of what somebody else might need to pump them up. He was a great cheerleader and had tremendous positive energy. His friends shared with me that Kris would always encourage them to do something new. He would be disappointed with me if I didn’t go down the highest slope while we were skiing!
The poem “High Flight” is located behind the bench is a fitting tribute to Kristopher as realized his dream to fly. It was written by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. in 1941 – he was a poet and aviator. Magee was killed in a mid-air collision over Lincolnshire during World War II in December of 1941. Following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986, President Ronald Reagan quoted a line from this poem: “slipped the surly bonds of Earth” to “touch the face of God.”
The bench was dedicated in 2000 and this memorial plaque was placed on the front of it:
The Ensign Kristopher Krohne Spirit Award
The Krohne family gives an annual award of $1,000 for an outstanding NJROTC candidate at CHS; an annual award of $2,500 for a scholarship for an NROTC student at the local San Diego Universities; a “spirit sword” for a Navy or Marine Corps graduate in both San Diego and at Kris’ alma mater, The George Washington University. They contributed the bench and the plaques to the Vista del Barco Park and continue to support the park’s upkeep.
This bench is not just a ‘secret spot’ to sit and enjoy the view, but a sacred memorial to honor the life of Kristopher Krohne. I didn’t know him, but after speaking with his mom and reading some articles online, I wish I did.
One of his classmates at GW, Brian Schoeneman, wrote a very touching story about how Kristopher impacted his life:
I remember one anecdote with Kris. I was moping around campus, having just broken up with a long-term girlfriend. I ran into him and we started talking. Pretty soon we’d moved over to the Red Lion – the local campus bar – and were sitting out back. A few hours later and more beers than I care to mention, my worries were gone and he’d completely cheered me up. That’s what he did. He was the carefree California dude who never took life seriously. Read more.
Congressman Brian Bilbray had very kind words to say about Kris as he addressed the House:
Madam Speaker, I come to the well of the House floor to talk about a very sad case, the tragic death of a former intern of mine, Kris Krohne.
Kris was an honorable and ambitious young man who died pursuing his dream of serving this country as a Naval aviator. Last Wednesday, Navy Ensign Kris Krohne was performing his second solo flight at Vance Air Force Base when his plane crashed. Kris was only 24 years old.
As a parent who has lost a son, my heart goes out to his parents, both retired Naval officers, Theodore and Kay, and his brother Karl. I extend my sympathies from those of us in the entire San Diego community to them.
I remember Kris as a bright and personable student who worked hard while interning in my office in D.C. in the spring of 1998. I was saddened to hear of his sudden death.
Kris’ spirit will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone he touched. We will never forget the great contribution he made to our office and what a great and dedicated American he was to want to serve his country.
Our thoughts and our prayers go out to his family, and we will all be praying for them in their time of grief.
To the Krohne family, thank you for your son and for publicly sharing his memory through by dedicating this bench to Coronado. I will think of Kristopher achieving his dream of flight and be thankful for his service to our country as I enjoy this special view and my freedom.
