Henry P. (Phil) Kraemer passed away peacefully on January 15, 2017, at the age of 93. He was born in Juliaetta, ID, on February 4, 1923, to Harry and Ruth Kraemer, the fifth in a family of six children. The family moved to Pomeroy, WA, where he graduated from high school in 1941. In early 1943, he enlisted in the armed services in World War II. He served with the 96^th Infantry Division training for jungle and amphibious operations in California and Hawaii. The division was part of the initial invasion of the Philippine Islands in 1944 and Okinawa in 1945. In these battles, he was wounded three times and was decorated with three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and a Silver Star. He was discharged from the Army in December 1945.

After the war, Phil enrolled in Washington State College (now WSU) to continue his engineering studies, graduating with honors in 1949 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. 

After graduation, Phil worked for the Benton County Engineering Department in Prosser, WA, the General Electric Company at the Hanford Works, Exxon Nuclear Fuels, and for Siemens/AREVA Nuclear Power as Manager of Material and Inventory Control in commercial nuclear fuels fabrication operations. He retired in 1989.

In 1947, Phil married Florence Waldher in Pomeroy, WA. They celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in August 2015, before her death in November of that year.

He is survived by his sons Kenneth (Kathleen) and Michael (Nancy), by his daughters Kathleen (Gordon) Fisher, Cynthia (Randal) Bemis, Susan Kraemer, and Marlene (Fred) Meeks, and by his 11 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Phil was a long-time member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland, WA. A Rosary will be held at Events at Sunset (915 Bypass Highway, Richland) on February 24, 2017 at 7:00 PM.  A Memorial Mass at Christ the King Catholic Church will be held on February 25, 2017 at 11:00 AM followed by a reception at the church.

Donations in Phil’s memory may be made to Christ the King Catholic Church, Kennewick Hospice House, Meals on Wheels, or a charity of your choice.