Read Mark David Kruger's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Mark David Kruger

Hamden, CT

November 30, 1948 - December 1, 2020

Nov 30, 1948 - Dec 1, 2020

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"My God, It's Full of Stars" by Tracy K. Smith

Perhaps the great error is believing
we’re alone,
That the others have come and gone —
a momentary blip —
When all along, space might be choc-full of traffic,
Bursting at the seams with energy we neither feel
Nor see, flush against us, living, dying, deciding,
Setting solid feet down on planets everywhere,
Bowing to the great stars that command, pitching stones
At whatever are their moons. They live wondering
If they are the only ones, knowing only the wish to know,
And the great black distance they — we
— flicker in.

Mark David Kruger passed away in hospice in Brandford, Connecticut on December 1st, 2020, just hours after his 72nd birthday. His daughter Sarah was by his side.

Mark was born on November 30th, 1948 in New Haven, Connecticut to Harry I. Kruger and Rheta B. Kruger (nee Finemark). He was raised in Hamden, a suburb of New Haven, and attended local schools through high school. Passionate about music, Mark spent his early adulthood working as a road manager and sound mixer under the tutelage of legendary manager Albert Grossman. He toured with some of the most famous rock bands of the time.

Mark received his BFA from New York University and had a long and prolific career in lighting design, first in rock and roll and theatre, and later in retail/commercial. He applied his unique sensibility of light, materials and space design to some of the most iconic places in the world, including the infamous Studio 54, The Kremlin compound of Kazan, Tatarstan, the first and largest themed restaurant, Boogie’s Diner, and the cutting-edge retail showroom of Willi Smith. He also loved to teach his craft, and held teaching positions at Parsons School of Design, Fashion Institute of Technology, and others.

Mark also brought his masterful understanding of light and shadow, and space and composition, to his long-time hobby– photography. His work was displayed around the United States and in Israel, and his collection of photographs of the 9/11 attacks was shown at the Edgar M. Bronfman Center at NYU.

Mark is survived by his sister, Esther Newman, two children, Sarah Kruger and Winston Kruger, friends and students. He was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Rheta.

Please make donations in Mark’s name to his favorite charity, Doctors Without Borders/Medicines Sans Frontiers.