David A. Kruter

David A. Kruter passed away on August 8, 2022, at the age of 92. Survived by his loving wife of nearly 59 years, Tina; daughters, Marlene (Jon) Steinberg, Sandy (Emmett) Poynot, and Deb (Chuck) Eckberg; grandchildren, Jourdan Patton, Ian Steinberg, Sasha Steinberg, Joshua Eckberg, Noah Eckberg, Harris Poynot, and Maggie Eckberg; and great-grandchildren, Easton and Leighton Patton.

In David’s own words, he “played the game well.” He was born in New York, spent his formative years in Baltimore, and later resided in Florida as a young adult married to his first wife while raising Marlene and Sandy. He eventually moved back to New York where he met Tina, marrying her in 1963, and having Deb a year later. David had an incredible career, starting as a press agent and later entering the world of public relations and promotions, ultimately representing a long list of famous movie stars, television personalities, and professional athletes. During his career, he served as Larry King’s original manager and handled the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, and The Ed Sullivan Show. He considered his greatest accomplishment to be his publicity of the purchase and transport of one of the most famous imports to the United States ever: the London Bridge now in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. David’s career allowed him to showcase his indelible charm and unmatched creativity, along with giving him and Tina the opportunity to travel the world together.

Despite such professional accomplishments, if you asked David what he was most proud of, he would tell you it was his family. A few years after Deb and Chuck married and settled in Minnesota, David and Tina packed up their belongings and their dog, and moved from New York to Minnesota. He and Tina have been around Deb and Chuck’s kids since the day each was born. He was a contract bridge life master, still playing twice a week at the Bridge Center of St. Paul right up until his last hospitalization. He was also a football fanatic, rooting tirelessly for the New York Giants and taking pride in his knowledge of all the NFL teams and players. David was brutally honest to the point of hilarity, and the family has more than a few “David-isms” that will always make us laugh. When David was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in his 70’s, we were told he would be lucky to live to be 80. We got 12 extra years with him, and for that we are forever grateful.

Private graveside service at Fort Snelling. Arrangements by Cullen Crea Funeral Home. Memorials preferred to the Minnesota DFL, the American Heart Association, or the Bridge Center of St. Paul.