Frances Rose Allen Kraft, a proud member of the Class of 1940 passed away May 13, 2011 at the age of 94. Until recently, Rose continued her active dedication to the Corvallis community and her worldwide travels. She frequently came to campus to meet with visit with students, many of whom she supported with the Walter and Rose Kraft International Travel Fund. Less that two weeks before she passed away, Rose attended the College of Health and Human Sciences Celebration of Excellence and was recognized for her philanthropy.
Rose grew up on a farm in Tumalo, Oregon and attended Oregon State College, where she met Walter Kraft during her sophomore year. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics in 1940, and married Walter in 1942. Rose worked for Frederick & Nelson in Seattle, Washington, then worked as Chief Dietitian at Fitkin Memorial Hospital in Neptune, New Jersey, during the later years of World War II. After the war, Rose and Walter returned to the West Coast, where she attended graduate school at University of California, Berkeley. She received her Master’s Degree in Nutrition in 1950, and worked as an instructor of nutrition at City College of San Francisco until 1955.
That year, Rose and Walter returned to Corvallis, where she began teaching for the Corvallis School District. She taught nutrition, home economics, social studies, world religions, anthropology and economics at the junior high and high school levels, retiring in 1982. Rose was granted a sabbatical and leaves of absence from 1966 to 1969 to take an around-the-world trip and to work as a Fulbright lecturer of nutrition in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. World travel was always a central theme in Rose’s life. She traveled to more than 65 countries, including most recently a trip across Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway, and cruises of the South Pacific and to Alaska. Rose and Walter welcomed and hosted many students from countries including China, Afghanistan, Japan and Thailand.
Rose served on numerous boards, and was actively involved in many organizations, most recently with the OSU Foundation, the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation Board and Auxiliary, and the Corvallis Youth Symphony. During her lifetime, Rose received many awards for her contributions to the local community. In January, she was honored as Corvallis Patron of the Arts. Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, and daughter, Edna Kelley.
Rose was the subject of an alumni story in Synergies.
2 replies on “Rose Kraft: Active alum, valued friend, and world traveler dies”
Rose was a compassionate woman, always thinking of and helping with the needs of others. She was a devoted member of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International where I was fortunate to be a “sister”. Her legacy will live on for many, many years.
Rose Craft was my high school room teacher. I will always remember her warmth and love. One holiday she invited us all to her house for a winter celebration.