Obituary: Dr. Robert Kranyik, Former Teacher, Dean

[Editor's Note: Obituary supplied by .]

Kranyik – Robert Donald Kranyik departed this life on Friday, August 24, 2012. Husband of Louise Narkevics Kranyik, he was a native of Fairfield and grew up in the Tunxis Hill section. He was the son of James Kranyik and Mary Mazalin Kranyik.

He was a graduate of , , class of 1948, and went on to receive both undergraduate and graduate degrees from . Dr. Kranyik received his Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut, and also did advanced graduate work at New York University, Teachers College of Columbia University, and the New School for Social Research.  

After serving in the Fairfield Public Schools for seven years as a teacher and administrator, Dr. Kranyik joined the faculty of the University of Bridgeport where he rose to become Dean of the College of Education, and was awarded the Charles A. Dana Professorship in Educational Management. During his career at the University of Bridgeport, he led the development of a national award winning master's degree program in elementary education, and the creation of the University's Doctoral Program in Educational Management.

He was the author of numerous professional articles in the fields of curriculum, teaching, and educational administration, as well as five books in the same fields. Upon retirement from the University, he was awarded emeritus rank, and went on to spend five years working with the School Development Program at the Yale Child Study Center.  

Bob served in the United States Navy Reserve, and was discharged as a Petty Officer First Class. He spoke four languages, and was very proud of his Hungarian heritage, writing many articles for newspapers, journals, and web sites about the settlement of Hungarians in the Bridgeport and Fairfield areas. He also wrote a number of columns in local newspapers about Fairfield and Easton issues and environmental concerns.  

He and Louise lived for thirty-seven years in Easton, where they built their dream house before moving to Fairfield seven years ago. While in Easton, he served twelve years on the Easton Board of Education, and was especially proud of his role in the preservation of Trout Brook Valley, and later in the preservation of more than 16, 000 acres of water company land in western Connecticut.  

A life member of Fayerweather Yacht Club where he served as a member of the Board of Governors and president of the FYC Holding Corporation. He loved sailing on his sloop, Silver Heels, and participated in both racing and cruising to far away places. A special interest was sailing in the Virgin Islands with family and friends. In retirement, he always looked forward to having coffee with his friends at the yacht club. He also enjoyed fishing on his small lobster boat, "Chief Jim", named after his father, which he acquired later in life. He pursued trout fishing, a passion which began when he was ten, on the banks of Mill River.  

He is survived by his beloved wife, Louise, to whom he was married for more than 59 years, and two daughters, Mary Louise Kranyik Woods, and her husband, Geroge J. Woods, and Jane Agnes O'Connor, and her husband, Charles G. O'Connor, both of Fairfield. He leaves behind two beloved grandchildren, Meri Kathryn O'Connor and Charles James O'Connor. He is also survived by his sister, Patricia Kranyik Butzko, of Fairfield, and several nieces and nephews.  

Friends are invited to pay their respects on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 from 4-8 pm in the , 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center. A Requiem Mass will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2012, at 10 am DIRECTLY at , 750 Tahmore Drive, Fairfield, CT. Burial will be in the Aspetuck Cemetery, Easton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chief James Kranyik Scholarship Fund at Fairfield College Preparatory School, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. To order flowers online, for travel directions, or to sign his online guest register, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com