Spring Lake Heights resident Robert (Bob) Krein, age 79, died on February 2, 2016, of multiple causes in Jersey Shore Hospital. A beloved husband of Cathy Mitchell Krein, father of Karyn Krein Lockshine, father-in-law of Dennis Lockshine and grandfather of RJ Lockshine and Owen Lockshine. “Grandpa” simply adored both of his grandsons and they loved him too. He will be greatly missed by his family who enjoyed him so very much and also by his nephews, nieces, friends and neighbors. Born in Lansdowne, PA, he was the youngest of three siblings. His immediate family consisted of his parents Edward and Margaret Krein and his two sisters, Dorothy Krein Killeen and Betty Krein Madison, who are all deceased. He often reminisced about growing up in Philadelphia and going to Horn & Hardart for Sunday dinners.

Bob and his Dad were very active in the Boy Scouts of America and he was always very proud of this. He supported the Boy Scouts all his life. Bob’s Dad was an Electrical Engineer, who worked for many years in the Philadelphia Navy Yard and at one time worked on WW2 planes. He hoped that Bob would follow in his footsteps and taught him everything he knew about Engineering but his heart was set on Advertising. He attended John Bartram High School, the Advertising Institute of Philadelphia and Charles Morris Price School of Advertising. After graduating, he attended Villanova University, Temple University and City College in NYC. He enlisted in the Navy at the age of 19.

Bob decided that New York City was the place for him especially because it was the “Advertising Capitol of the World”. He never regretted his move to New York. He was employed by Jerry Della Femina Advertising Agency and later Grey Advertising as Senior Traffic Manager. During this time, he met “the love of his life” Cathy Mitchell, whom he also called “his soul mate”. At that time Cathy was working for Walter Cronkite.

They both enjoyed living in New York City. They were married on April 18, 1970 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and had their reception at Tavern on the Green. Their daughter, Karyn, always the idol of her Dad, completed the Krein family. The Jersey Shore became a place they loved and after renting for a few summers, they finally decided to buy a summer home, perhaps one of the best decisions they ever made.

Bob had many hobbies, including the Mets baseball, the Jets football, the beach, reading, bike riding, gardening and traveling. Good food was another of his favorites, especially Philadelphia cheese steaks, which he loved since he was a teenager. While fighting cancer since 1995, he led a positive life of strength for his family. He saw his daughter get married, he traveled with his wife to Europe, Alaska, Panama, South America, Seattle, California, and many other places. He loved being a Grandpa to RJ and Owen and was always looking for new toys to enjoy with them.
Two of his favorite phrases were “I’m in God’s hands” and “I try hard”. He certainly did “try hard” and he is now in “God’s hands”. We will love him and miss him forever.
Visitation will take place at O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy. 35, Wall, on Friday, February 5, 2016, from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Catharine Church, Spring Lake, on Saturday, February 6, 2016, at 10:30 AM. Cremation will take place privately. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Krein’s memory may be made to The Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, at www.foodbankmoc.org.